Sen. Berthel Supports Future of Waterbury Hospital

Supports measure authorizing UConn Health acquisition of Waterbury, Bristol, and Day Kimball hospitals to preserve access to care and jobs across Connecticut.

Chief Deputy Republican Leader Eric Berthel (R-Watertown) today applauded the Senate’s largely bipartisan approval of a deal to sell Waterbury Hospital, along with Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam and Bristol Hospital, to UConn Health as part of a state bonding package. The deal, also approved by the House on Nov. 12, saves each hospital from the threat of indefinite closure that has lingered in recent years.

“Waterbury Hospital serves a catchment area of hundreds of thousands of people, representing a wide cross section of residents of all means and backgrounds. The hospital employs more than 2,000 people who live and work here and who help drive our local economy. To lose this hospital would be a serious weakening of the safety net we often talk about in Connecticut. The same holds true for the Day Kimball and Bristol hospital communities.

“This investment is a far better solution than shutting these hospitals — and their life-saving services — down. At the same time, we owe it to taxpayers to ensure that this new entity is met with the oversight and transparency they deserve for such a monumental investment,” Sen. Berthel said.