Zupkus Op-Ed: Hospital Cuts

Hospital Cuts: What You Need to Know

by State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus

Last week, Governor Malloy announced $63.4 million in Medicaid funding cuts to 29 Connecticut hospitals. Not only are these cuts significant, but they will also trigger another $120 million loss in matching federal funding.

The governor’s cuts include more than $8.3 million for Waterbury Hospital, $8.8 for St. Mary’s Hospital, $5.1 for Midstate Hospital, and $20.4 million for Yale (including St. Raphael’s Hospital. These numbers do not include the loss of matching federal dollars.

This is of great concern as tens of thousands of residents in our district and throughout the state rely on the care (both preventative and urgent) and services provided by our community hospitals. The consequences of these cuts will be felt and seen in the weeks and months ahead. Undoubtedly, there may be more layoffs of hospital staff, reductions in programs and services, possible program closure, and increases in wait times for vital medical care.

Just today, the Connecticut State Medical Society (CSMS) released a statement expressing their deep concerns regarding Governor Malloy’s rescissions to Medicaid and mental health services. CSMS President Robert Russo, MD stated that these cuts will threaten the health of patients and dramatically reduce access to care for the neediest patients across the state- the nearly one in five Connecticut residents who today rely on Medicaid for their health care coverage. It will be more difficult for patients to get preventive care services. It will be more difficult for patients with complex health issues and chronic conditions to get medically-necessary care in a timely manner, which will lead to many more complications.

We continue to hear calls from hospital staff including, doctors, nurses and administrators, as well as the Connecticut Hospital Association, and now the Connecticut State Medical Society urging state leaders to immediately reconsider these cuts.

As legislators, we owe it to the taxpayers of Connecticut to do the job we’ve been elected to do, which is to come together in a bi-partisan manner, talk through the issues and develop equitable solutions to resolve state issues. Balancing the budget on the backs, and now the health, of all residents and jeopardizing their well-being is nothing short of unacceptable. Looking to hospitals as cash cows and the first stop to bailing the state out of financial jams is fiscally irresponsible. Yet for the last five years, Governor Malloy and the Democrat-controlled legislature has continued to support this type of policy.

In response to these funding cuts and hearing the calls for action, I joined with fellow state Republican lawmakers from the House and the Senate in calling for the legislature to convene in a special session to discuss a balanced approach to move forward as a state. Unfortunately, Democrat-majority legislators have indicated that no such special session will be called.

Area hospitals are also a vital part of our local economies. In addition to providing care for patients, they are some of our largest employers, investors in our communities, and major supporters of non-profit organizations. Our community hospitals cannot continue to withstand the economic hits they’ve sustained by this administration and remain viable and productive citizens in the communities they serve.

I will continue to fight for our community hospitals and to be a strong advocate for the residents and families in our district and across the state who rely on these hospitals and the services and programs they provide.

I strongly urge you to contact the governor and share your concerns about how important community hospital care and programs are to you, your loved ones, and our community. Please call during office hours at 860 566-4840 and share your opinions on this matter.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me with your thoughts on this or any issue via email at Lezlye.Zupkus@housegop.ct.gov or by phone (860) 240-8700 or toll free (800) 842-1423.

*Full details about these cuts are available via the state’s Office of Fiscal Analysis (www.cga.ct.gov/ofa).