Latest news with #GovNedLamont
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Buyers express interest in Prospect's three CT hospitals that face bankruptcy. Morale ‘non existent'
With the bidding process underway for a buyer to acquire Prospect Medical Holdings' three hospitals in the state, three buyers have expressed interest but an official announcement is not expected until later this month. None of the buyers' names have been made public, according to state and health officials. But there is anticipation and hope that a buyer will be found to keep the hospitals on solid footing after Prospect, a private equity company, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this past January. Bankruptcy court proceedings are occurring in the Northern District of Texas Dallas Division and Yale New Haven Health announced last month that no deal was possible to acquire the hospitals due to 'mismanagement.' Julia Bergman, a spokesman for Gov. Ned Lamont said the 'governor believes these hospitals are valuable institutions that provide quality health care to the communities they serve. 'He looks forward to their continued success in the future under a new operator,' she said. Prospect, which operates Manchester Memorial, Rockville General and Waterbury Hospital, has faced fiscal challenges in many of its hospitals in the state, from delayed payments to physicians and vendors to a shortage of health care providers. Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski Jr. said he learned that there are several bidders interested and expects to know more in the coming weeks. He said given what has happened with Waterbury Hospital under the ownership of Prospect, it 'would be helpful if the new buyer is not a private equity company.' There is a call in the legislature to restrict private equity in response to the effect of Prospect Medical Holding's impact on its three hospitals and state officials have raised concerns about profits being maximized over patient care. Connecticut lawmakers are considering legislation to restrict private equity's role in Connecticut hospitals but time is drawing down on the session. SB 1507 would prohibit private equity companies and real estate investment trusts from acquiring or increasing direct or indirect ownership interest in or operational or financial control over a hospital or health system, according to the bill's analysis. Sen. Saud Anwar, Senate chairman of the Public Health Committee, said it is integral to pass legislation. 'We are trying to get everyone on the same page,' he said.'We need to make sure we have a plan to protect our citizens from people who are dedicated to making money for themselves at the cost of patients.' There was hope for a buyer for Prospect's hospitals in 2022 when Yale New Haven Health agreed in a tentative agreement to purchase Prospect's three hospitals for $435 million but that deal has been bogged down in lawsuits, with Yale deciding that the deal was not possible. Dana Marnane, director of public relations and communications for Yale New Haven Health, declined to comment for this article. Nurses and unions at several of Prospect's hospitals in the state have told the Courant that their hospitals have been decimated, with some continuing to cite concerns about patient care as they wait for a new owner to purchase the hospitals. This followed a state Department of Public Health consent order issued in November of last year fining Waterbury Hospital $60,000 for violations of state law and called on the hospital to develop, review and revise policies and procedures related to staffing levels, abuse prevention, implementation of physician orders, timely initiation of Emergency Department triage protocol, among other policies. The consent order also called for an independent expert compliance contractor of the hospital. Brittany Schaefer, public information officer for the Department of Public Health, said in an email Monday that the consent order remains active. 'The independent expert compliance contractor continues to monitor the items outlined in the consent order and submit monthly reports to DPH and Waterbury Hospital leadership regarding this,' Schaefer said, adding that the contractor also meets regularly with DPH and Waterbury Hospital leadership to discuss reports/items outlined in the consent order. Bankruptcy court filing shows recently that Prospect Medical received permission to close two Pennsylvania hospitals trying to sell them but no one was interested. Robert White, distinguished practitioner in residence at Quinnipiac University School of Law, said in an email that Prospect will need an infusion of cash from somewhere soon. 'You may see more closings,' he said. 'They are trying to sell assets.' Meanwhile, the state Office of Health Strategy approved a settlement allowing Prospect to seek approval of the consolidation of the Rockville General and Manchester Memorial hospital licenses from the Department of Public Health. The settlement also cleared a path for the operator to permanently shutter all services aside from the emergency and behavioral health at Rockville General Hospital in Vernon, The CT Mirror reported. 'This isn't just a failure – it's a disgrace,' said Sen. Jeff Gordon, R-Woodstock, in a statement. 'Once again, OHS has shown it is completely out of touch with the real health care needs of Connecticut families and seniors. Ed Gadomski, Connecticut Healthcare Associates internal union organizer, who represents the nurses and technicians at Waterbury Hospital, continues to state that almost all of its departments are understaffed with nursing to patient ratios well over the appropriate levels set by the Hospital Staffing Committee. He continues to wait on the outcome of a complaint he filed with the Department of Public Health charging that the hospital is violating the Hospital Staffing Law. Suzanne Koenig, president of SakHealthcare and the patient care ombudsman for Prospect's hospitals, stated in her report, according to court filings, that 'overall patient care and safety are being maintained at the ECHN hospitals (Manchester Memorial Hospital and Rockville and Waterbury). 'The ombudsman did not observe any staffing issues that put patients in immediate danger or jeopardized their care,' Koenig said in her report. She did however report that staffing remains challenging. 'Specifically, MMH and Waterbury have had several registered nurses (each an 'RN') call out sick or no-show,' Koenig said in her report. 'The hospitals, however, have done a good job finding replacement RNs for shift coverage, often on short notice. The hospitals are also actively recruiting and offering sign-on and referral bonuses as incentives.' But Gadomski said he continues to hear of staff members leaving the hospital. 'Morale is non existent,' he said. 'We are keeping our heads above water and waiting for the new ownership.' Koenig noted in her report that the Emergency Department at Waterbury Hospital was crowded and the need for expansion as planned was evident. Prospect did not return emails for comment for this story.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Gov. Lamont recognizes Branford lab studying HIV
BRANFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — A pharmaceutical lab and research facility in Branford is being recognized for its efforts to treat, prevent and hopefully cure HIV. ViiV Healthcare is located off exit 54 on I-95. It opened in 2017 and is the world's only HIV-dedicated research facility. New Haven magnet school boasts flourishing drone and robot programs On Monday, Gov. Ned Lamont (D) and the state's health commissioner, Dr. Manisha Juthani, MD, presented the workers there with a proclamation for being a leader in cutting edge research and development in HIV and AIDS. 'It's just worth reminding people every day that we're making a difference and it's working and we're saving lives,' Gov. Lamont said. ViiV is part of an initiative, founded in 2022, that has set a goal to end HIV in the U.S. by 2030. More than 30 scientists work in the Branford facility. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Housing bill passes State Senate after lengthy debate
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — The Connecticut State Senate passed House Bill 5002 in a vote of 20-15 on Saturday, after hours of debate. Earlier this week, the House passed the bill after 11 hours of debate between lawmakers. Connecticut House passes housing bill after 11-hour debate Democrats have been moving on this issue to reform housing legislation. they say this bill will help the state address housing shortages. 'We've gotten to the place where were doing what we need to do we just want to make sure we are doing smart development, converting commercial properties that haven't been used in along time and building out more of robust housing across the board not affordable,' said Rep. Antonio Felipe, (D, Bridgeport) and chair of the housing committee in the House. Across the aisle, Republicans are less keen on the idea, saying the bill is an infringement on local control and that a one-size-fits all solution is not what the state needs. 'We have seen state laws on affordable housing already fail neighborhoods in Shelton and Stratford,' said Sen. Jason Perillo (R-21). 'Projects on Mohawk Drive, Shelton Avenue, and Oronoque Trail are clear examples of these failed mandates. These practices create entitled developers, not empowered communities.' The bill will now head to Gov. Ned Lamont's desk to be signed into law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
