UConn Health plans to submit a bid to acquire Waterbury Hospital as part of a larger plan to build a network of community hospitals to stabilize the health center’s finances, a spokesperson said Wednesday.
UConn Health made the announcement a day after the Connecticut Mirror reported that the health center was in high-level talks to acquire Bristol Hospital and Day Kimball, as well as Waterbury Hospital. All three are struggling financially and expect greater challenges in the next year, both with federal cuts to Medicaid and the bankruptcy of Waterbury Hospital owner Prospect Medical Holdings.
“As Connecticut’s only public academic medical center, UConn Health is committed to meeting the state’s health care needs,” said John Driscoll, chair of the UConn Health Board of Directors in a statement Wednesday. “By joining with other hospitals, we will build a new, high value health system that will benefit patients and communities across the state while strengthening UConn Health. We are grateful for Governor Lamont’s support and look forward to working with him and the legislature as we carry out this strategy. Thoughtful investments today will create a more vibrant future for health care access and delivery in Connecticut.”
According to the health center, increasing patient demand is also driving the plan to expand. UConn Health’s in-patient volume grew by 34% over the past three years, it said, outpacing any other hospital system in the state.
“Demand among patients for care at UConn Health is at a record high because of our recognized quality, compassion, innovation, and affordability, which are fundamental to our mission,” said Agwunobi. “We need to meet our increasing demand by growing our geographic footprint and expanding access to our care for both current and future patients.”
Officials and staff at Prospect’s three Connecticut hospitals – Waterbury, Rockville General and Manchester Memorial – have expressed ongoing concerns about staffing, patient care and resources as the for-profit company’s bankruptcy has progressed. UConn Health officials say the hospital is “well positioned through this partnership to support access to healthcare in these communities.”
Sen. Saud Anwar, D-South Windsor, and senate chair of the Public Health Committee, applauded the plan as an opportunity to “shore up” the quality of health care in Connecticut.
“This potential acquisition would provide a better environment to help fight the state’s health care workforce shortages for nurses, physicians and especially specialty physicians, benefitting care not only in these individual hospitals but in Connecticut at large,” Anwar said. “Should the state choose to invest in these resources, we stand a real chance to enhance quality of medical care in the short- and long-term.”
The plan will require approval by the university’s Board of Trustees and UConn Health’s Board of Directors.