CEO Notes

John Murphy, MD, President and CEO, WCHN

The roller coaster ride with the State continues with Governor Malloy leveraging his control over how to close the state budget gap on the backs of the sick and the poor. Since Malloy has been in office, he's cut and taxed $1.3 billion from Connecticut's hospitals. In September, he cut another $240 million. As a result of these cuts, hospitals are being forced to discontinue services, limit community outreach, close clinics and eliminate the staff associated with operating these programs.

For FY 2016, the Connecticut hospital tax is an astounding $550 million. For Western Connecticut Health Network, that’s $55 million annually – more than $1 million a week. Since imposing the hospital tax, we’ve watched our Network’s tax burden increase from $16 million in 2014 to $28 million in 2015 and now to $55 million in 2016 with no relief in sight.

Internally, we are working hard to address the Governor’s cuts in order to protect our mission and services to ensure that we are here for the community when they need us. Instead of making short-term decisions with detrimental consequences, our Board is allowing us time to carefully consider how we will adapt to this unfortunate new reality.

Externally, we are calling on legislators to protect the most vulnerable people in our state, save valuable healthcare jobs, and restore the budget for patients and the hospitals that care for them. I want to thank you for your advocacy efforts to date. Your emails, phone calls, letters and testimony have helped. Governor Malloy recently invited legislative leaders back to the negotiating table following mounting criticism from both parties about cuts to hospitals and human services.

In addition to the hospital cuts, the Governor rescinded funding for Community Care Teams, a program that would have helped those most in need of medical and mental healthcare. Because many of these patients are on Medicaid, the program was projected to save the state money. These care teams are in place at all three of our hospitals and are making significant strides in helping the most vulnerable by connecting them with pertinent community resources and shelter. The program was spotlighted recently and serves as a wonderful reminder of our mission to improve the lives of others. Read Article

Please know that we will not give up the fight at the federal and state level until this funding is restored. The enormity of the cuts is incomprehensible and the cumulative impact devastating. As health care providers, we must stand up for the healthcare needs of everyone in our community, including the sick and underserved.

On a much brighter note, despite this ongoing battle with the Governor, each and every day we continue to deliver exceptional care to our patients. Our hospitals will always be community gems – great places to seek care and rewarding places to work. I’m continually inspired by our amazing staff and their unwavering commitment to help others. Thanks for everything you do in support of our mission. It’s truly appreciated.

Learn more about CHA’s campaign at www.StopTheCutsNow.org

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