Rep. Pizzuto Celebrates UConn Health, Waterbury Hospital Partnership

State Representative Bill Pizzuto (R-71) released the following statement on the opening of UConn Health Waterbury Hospital:

I was proud to stand with members of the Waterbury delegation this week to mark the official transformation of Waterbury Hospital into UConn Health-Waterbury Hospital. This ends a years-long journey for the more than 100-year-old hospital.

The bankrupt, formerly private equity-backed hospital operator, Prospect Medical Holdings, brought years of uncertainty for employees, patients, and the entire community.  This public-private partnership brings Waterbury Hospital under the UConn Health umbrella, but it remains private.

This deal was made possible in part through legislation approved late last year during a special session. HB 8001, approved with overwhelming support in November 2025, authorizes UConn to issue bonds and finance capital projects, and allows use of an equivalent amount of bond proceeds for the University of Connecticut Health Center Joint Venture Initiative. The bonding can be used to fund deferred maintenance, upgrade necessary information technology and equipment, and make capital improvements.

This partnership means the health care provider will be able to continue to serve future generations in the Waterbury region. This will protect jobs and preserve access to health care in the community.

Prior to being elected as state representative, Pizzuto served as campus director for UConn Waterbury, a position he proudly held through more than 20 years of transformational changes in education and to downtown Waterbury. He currently serves on the Waterbury Hospital advisory board.