Partisan outburst over failed hospital negotiations

Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano of North Haven this afternoon blasted Gov. Dannel P. Malloy over the on-again, off-again negotiations with the for-profit Tenet Healthcare that have apparently ended with no deal on the consolidation of Waterbury Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital in that city, plus facilities in Bristol, Rockville and Manchester Memorial.

“This is a devastating blow to the Waterbury community as well as the entire state,” said Fasano in a scorching summation. “Governor Malloy had the opportunity to close this deal and he failed. It is unfortunately consistent with his lack of leadership over the last two years on this issue. The legislature worked hard to open the doors. And when the plan crumbled, I was proud to join with Sen. Martin Looney and other legislators to try to resuscitate the deal and get both sides back to the table. While I am disappointed, I am not surprised.  It was Governor Malloy whose veto in 2013 set back this whole process. It was Governor Malloy whose executive agency OHCA proposed conditions that went above and beyond what the legislature previously rejected as too onerous. It was Governor Malloy who closed the negotiation doors to those who got Tenet to come back to the table. Governor Malloy likes to say Connecticut is ‘Open for Business’ but here is a prime example where he has slammed that door shut.  He slammed the door on a private company that was willing to invest nearly half a billion dollars in Connecticut, and he slammed the door on the faces of Waterbury Hospital employees.”

Mark Ojakian, Malloy’s chief of staff, just issued a stinging rebuttal: “Senator Fasano has become a partisan talking-point machine, heckling from the sidelines instead of actually doing the hard work of governing. The fact is, Len hasn’t offered one serious idea on the hospital issues in Waterbury. Just like he hasn’t offered one serious idea on the budget, or one serious idea on economic development. He should spend more time working on serious ideas and less time writing letters and press releases.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney adds his fairly conciliatory comments: “It is certainly disappointing that Tenet and the State of Connecticut could not come to an agreement.  Governor Malloy worked hard to reach an agreement which would have ensured that Connecticut residents have access to affordable, quality medical care. I know the Governor and legislative leaders will continue to work toward helping our affected hospitals and communities.”