Unanswered CT Hospital $$$ Questions; CT Senate GOP Wants Answers… and a Pause

Prior to today’s announcement of Waterbury Hospital becoming the first of three hospitals expected to join the newly created $400 million UConn Health Community Network, Sen. Stephen Harding, Sen. Heather Somers and Sen. Ryan Fazio are raising concerns regarding the credibility of the chief executive officer of the University of Connecticut Health Center. (View the letter.) The new entity, intended to rescue three financially distressed hospitals, will be led by UConn Health CEO Dr. Andrew Agwunobi.

“It’s a big job. And big questions remain unanswered.

Hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ dollars hang in the balance.

Is Dr. Agwunobi the best fit? We are calling for a reassessment of that record. In public. Out in the open.

Gov. Lamont is ‘confident’ in Dr. Agwunobi’s ‘vision’ – ok, but is Gov. Lamont equally confident in Dr. Agwunobi’s track record in taking over and running organizations? It’s not a stellar performance.

Before everyone starts celebrating, we must hit the pause button.

We must take a fresh look at whether Dr. Agwunobi is the best person for the job, or whether he’s the most convenient person for the task at hand.

In our already unaffordable state, overburdened taxpayers deserve that assessment.”