Sen. Kane Applauds Six-Month Extension Granted To Heart Center Of Greater Waterbury

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.