State Reps to Address Governor's 'Distressing Budget Cuts' for Hospitals

State Reps. Dan Carter (R-2), Jan Giegler (R-138) and Stephen Harding (R-107), along with Senate and House Republicans, are calling for a special session to reject proposed cuts to “save Connecticut hospitals,” according to a release.

They are fighting against the governor’s proposal to increase hospitals’ tax liability to the state by over $267 million between fiscal year 2015 and fiscal year 2016, raising their state tax burden to almost $500 million annually. The Small Hospital Grant has also been eliminated for the remaining nine months of this fiscal year.

“These cuts are devastating to hospitals across the state, and Danbury is among the hardest hit,” said Rep. Carter.

“Though we appreciate the governor recognizing that there is a problem with this budget, it is far too early in this fiscal year to blame Wall Street for making gains off of our profits. We should be prepared to make budget cuts in the short-term if revenue problems materialize, but we should really be focused on long-term, structural changes to the budget that can be made during upcoming negotiations with state employee unions.”

“Hospitals are on the brink of shutting down and we’re already facing a nearly $2 billion deficit for 2017,” said Rep. Harding.

“What does this mean locally? Well, it means that Danbury Hospital will be up against a $15.1 million increase in tax liability to the state next year, raising their state tax burden to over $33 million annually. Not only is this unreasonable, but it is unsustainable. I am genuinely concerned for the future of healthcare in our district, and our state.”

“I’m extremely disappointed Governor Malloy chose to make the bulk of these rescissions on the backs of Connecticut hospitals that are already reeling from massive cuts in the last budget passed only months earlier, and one the Governor assured us was balanced,” Rep. Giegler said.

“Governor Malloy and the Majority Party legislators who voted for this unsustainable and out-of-balance budget put the burden of their irresponsible decisions on each and every taxpayer, and are now scrambling to slash hospital funding to make up the difference. It’s unconscionable.”

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Dan Carter serves as State Representative for the 2nd General Assembly District covering Bethel, Danbury, Newtown and Redding.

State Representative Janice R. “Jan” Giegler serves Danbury, New Fairfield and Ridgefield.

State Rep. Stephen Harding represents the 107th General Assembly District covering Brookfield as well as parts of Bethel and Danbury.

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