CEO Notes

John Murphy, MD, President and CEO, WCHN

We are deeply disappointed to find our non-profit hospitals once again facing new taxes and cuts in reimbursements to care for the poor. The State Administration approved a $40 billion budget which increases Connecticut hospital taxes from $269 million to $315 million per year and cuts Medicaid provider rates by $30 million per year. Hospitals across the State are already suffering and shouldering existing financial burdens from the State. We simply do not have the means to continually absorb these additional cuts.

In the coming weeks, there will be a special legislative session to finalize many of the details. So until then, we cannot fully assess the impact to our Network. We will continue to keep you informed as we learn more and begin preparing for this new reality.

As we face this difficult work ahead, we continue to be grateful to our community for their supportive voices, to our staff for their courage and perseverance in the face of these devastating cuts and to the delegates who voted to protect patient care. Your collective advocacy efforts always help, however we still have an uphill battle in Hartford.

Thanks as always,
John

(Editor’s Note: Quality & Patient Safety op-ed)
The delivery of excellent, innovative and compassionate care is part of our mission and guides everything we do. Across the Network, we're making great strides in providing safe, high quality care. Our adoption of HRO principles, daily safety huddles, safety coaches and leadership rounding all help contribute to our culture of safety. Only by remaining vigilant on quality and patient safety, can we continually improve patient care and outcomes. Click to read an opinion piece from Dr. Murphy.

Click here to return to the top of the page