|
STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106 |
M. Jodi Rell Governor |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 4, 2010
|
Contact: 860-524-7313
|
Governor Rell Signs Bill Establishing
UConn Health Network
New John Dempsey Hospital Centerpiece of $362 M Initiative
Governor M. Jodi Rell today signed a bill that would establish an innovative and far-reaching health network anchored by a state-of-the-art UConn Health Center and supported by several regional private hospitals – a network that will transform the delivery of health care services in the state and create thousands of new jobs in bioscience and related industries.
House Bill 5027, An Act Establishing the University of Connecticut Health Network and Connecticut Bioscience Initiative, is the result of a $362 million regional collaboration spearheaded by Governor Rell. The legislation is designed to renovate the aging John Dempsey Hospital on the UCHC campus in Farmington and create a landmark health care partnership throughout the region.
“This bill underscores the power of cooperation and commitment among a number of public and private partners who came together for the good of our citizens and our economy,” Governor Rell said. “We are confident we will elevate the UConn Health Center to a top-tier teaching institution in the nation. The doctors and dentists educated and trained here will be distinguished professionals and leaders in their field.
“I commend and thank the lawmakers who supported this unprecedented partnership and had the vision to see our plan as a crucial investment,” the Governor said. “It is an investment that will create jobs and opportunities for Connecticut’s health care industry. The network gives us the potential to establish a world-class cancer institute, attract the finest researchers in the nation and put our flagship university on firm footing for a very promising future.”
The state and UConn are building the network in collaboration with Hartford Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain and Bristol Hospital. The centerpiece of the partnership is a new, state-of-the-art patient tower and totally renovated John Dempsey Hospital, with expanded classroom and laboratory space for more medical and dental students.
To pay for the new hospital and related facilities in the network, $100 million of the investment is expected to come from federal, private or other non-state funds; $25 million for design and planning will come from already approved UConn 21st Century funding; and $237 million will be in state bonding. The law prohibits the bonds from being issued until the $100 million is received and establishes June 30, 2015, as the deadline for receiving the $100 million.
In addition to the new hospital, the network features:
· Transfer of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. NICU will still be at Dempsey, but run by CCMC’s regional children’s system;
· Nationally recognized cancer center: Partners will seek federal designation of Comprehensive Cancer Center to make it the second in the state outside of Yale;
· Simulation center at Hartford Hospital. Open to all healthcare professionals to train on newest equipment and technology in simulated care settings;
· Primary Care Institute at St. Francis. Would be open to all health care professionals to develop new models of chronic disease management and primary care education and treatment;
· Health disparities institute in the city of Hartford. Would promote enhanced healthcare research, training and delivery to minority communities;
· Institute for Clinical and Translational Sciences on Farmington Campus. A super-site by network partners would speed lab-to-bedside clinical trials and breakthrough medicine;
· The Connecticut Institute for Nursing on Storrs campus of UConn School of Nursing. Will support and explore ways to enhance recruitment, training and retention of nurses;
· Permanent Regional Clinical Trials Unit at The Hospital of Central Connecticut and Cancer Treatment Center in New Britain;
· Patient Room Renovations at Bristol Hospital;
· Establishment of bioscience enterprise zone. Would offer state tax breaks to private companies in Hartford, Farmington, New Britain and Bristol that create jobs and work with UConn Health Network partners.