WALLINGFORD – The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) released the following statement in response to Governor Ned Lamont’s 2023 legislative proposals implementing the Governor’s biennial budget that affect healthcare access and care provided by Connecticut hospitals:
“We applaud the Governor’s focus in his biennial budget on strengthening communities and supporting Connecticut families. The pandemic not only had an unprecedented impact on healthcare, but also worsened longstanding inequality in housing, economic opportunity, and health. As hospitals continue to respond to the critical health needs of patients and communities with an emphasis on housing, food security, transportation, and employment, we welcome the partnership of the Governor and state in these all-hands-on-deck efforts.
“Our strong partnership with the Governor during the pandemic resulted in a best-in-the-nation response. But the pandemic and its aftermath have left hospitals significantly less stable than before, managing soaring costs caused by record inflation and grappling with serious financial losses. While we are interested in learning more about the medical debt proposal, some of the other hospital-focused proposals contained in the Governor’s legislative proposals released this week will further destabilize the very hospitals that were the backbone of the state’s successful response to the pandemic. Implementation of the proposals, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in reductions, will cause further harm to our workforce and limit patient access to care
“These proposals distract from an examination of the harmful effects of persistent Medicaid underpayment by the state—nearly the worst in the nation. They do little to nothing to lower health insurance premiums or out of pocket costs.
“We remain eager to find solutions that deliver more affordable healthcare in our state while expanding access to care. Unfortunately, these proposals will further weaken the hospitals that Connecticut residents rely on for life-saving care.
“We agree with the Governor that everyone needs to be part of the solution. State action should be focused on supporting the healthcare workforce and making quality care more affordable and accessible. Direct assistance from the state is needed to support recruitment, retention, and training for healthcare workers and for relief from the increased cost of contract labor and crucial staffing premium pay. We look forward to working together with the Governor and lawmakers to achieve our shared goal of providing high quality, affordable, accessible, and equitable care to every person.”
