Legislator
Supports Ongoing Efforts To Grant Permanent Status To
Regional Heart Center
Senator Rob Kane (R-32) applauded the decision by
the state Office of Health Care Access (OHCA) to allow
the Heart of Center of Greater Waterbury to continue
operating its three-year old trial program while seeking
permanent status.
“This is the right decision for the many people
who have already been helped by this life-saving program,
and for those who will benefit from it in the future.
I testified at last week’s public hearing at the
Legislative Office Building in Hartford, and was extremely
impressed by the testimony offered by so many others.
I look forward to continuing my support for the Heart
Center of Greater Waterbury as it seeks permanent status,”
said Senator Kane.
The Heart Center of Greater Waterbury, operated by
St. Mary’s Hospital and Waterbury Hospital in
cooperation with the University of Connecticut Health
Center/John Dempsey Hospitals, serves residents of several
area communities, including Bethlehem, Middlebury, Southbury,
Thomaston, Watertown, Woodbury, Oxford and Seymour.
OHCA granted the six month extension following the
public hearing on Friday, August 29th. In turn, the
Heart Center of Greater Waterbury will submit its application
for a permanent program by September 15th, with a public
hearing to be held by the end of October.
Senator Kane noted that Waterbury Hospital and St.
Mary’s Hospital have performed more than 600 open
heart surgeries and 1,800 angioplasties under the auspices
of the three-year old Heart Center of Greater Waterbury
“We know that constituents from the communities
I represent have used the heart center, and I believe
it is an unnecessary added burden to force them to travel
any further than Waterbury for the care they need. We
need the heart center close by. Most of us have family
members, or friends, who need the type of medical care
provided by the Heart Center of Greater Waterbury, and
we need to do whatever it takes to keep it open,”
said Senator Kane.
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