PUTNAM – The Quiet Corner legislative delegation of state Senator Mae Flexer, state Representatives Pat Boyd (D-Pomfret) and Rick Hayes (R-Putnam), and state Senator Jeff Gordon (R-Union) announced today that the new two-year state budget includes $10 million in state aid for Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam.
Day Kimball will receive $8 million by June 30, 2024 to help maintain essential health services in the community — including 24-hour emergency services, obstetrics, behavioral health, and relevant specialty care and primary care services — and another $2 million by June 30, 2025.
“Day Kimball provides critical health services to the people of Northeastern Connecticut, and this funding will help ensure that the hospital can continue serving the local community,” Governor Ned Lamont said.
“As I have said many times, I cannot overstate the importance of having immediate, quality, local health care available to the residents of the Quiet Corner in Northeastern Connecticut. With health care services being cut across the region, Day Kimball’s role is more vital than ever,” Sen. Flexer said. “That’s why we worked so hard to secure these critical budget dollars for Day Kimball. The alternative, quite frankly, is to see Northeastern Connecticut turn into a primary care desert, with people having to drive long distances for medical appointments, for emergency care and care for chronic conditions. I’m grateful that our state delegation, with support from our federal delegation, was able to work together with Governor Lamont to support our hospital.”
“Day Kimball Hospital is a critical resource and employer in our region. I am glad we were able to secure this state funding to maintain the hospital,” said Rep. Boyd.
“It’s important that Day Kimball receive this money and be able to continue to serve our area,” said Rep. Hayes.
“We’re always seeking ways to provide access to care, and improved outcomes for patients,” Sen. Gordon said. “This is especially important for families in our rural part of the state, where options may be more limited. I’m pleased that we can work collaboratively to deliver this funding to Day Kimball. Thank you to their talented staff for their hard work and commitment to deliver this care in our community.”
“Day Kimball Health’s Board and leadership team have been working tirelessly with our local, state, and federal delegation to secure financial support that will allow DKH to continue to provide the fullest array of services to those we are privileged to serve in our region,” said Kyle Kramer, Chief Executive Officer of Day Kimball Health. “We are so grateful for the tremendous support and engagement we have received from our elected officials through this process, especially state Senator Mae Flexer and her staff and state Representative Pat Boyd and his staff, both of whom pushed extremely hard for Day Kimball. In addition, thank you to state Representative Rick Hayes and his staff, along with state Senator Jeff Gordon and his staff, who both worked across the aisle and supported our efforts and request. We also thank Congressman Joe Courtney and U.S. Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal and their teams for their commitment and support, as well as Governor Ned Lamont and his office, and Attorney General William Tong and his office for their support and engagement. These funds will be designated toward investments in clinical program advancements and the ongoing operational stabilization necessary to continue advancing the Day Kimball Health organization into the future.”
Day Kimball Healthcare is a non-profit, integrated medical services provider of 1,100 employees comprised of Day Kimball Hospital, Day Kimball Medical Group, four healthcare centers in Danielson, Dayville, Plainfield and Putnam, Day Kimball HomeMakers, Day Kimball HomeCare, and Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut. Its service area includes Northeast Connecticut as well as nearby Massachusetts and Rhode Island communities.
The $51.1 billion biennial state budget passed the Senate today on a bipartisan vote of 35-1 after previously passing the House 139-12. The new state budget includes $612 million in personal income and pension tax cuts, $232 million more in state aid to local school districts, and hundreds of millions of dollars for nonprofits to pay their employees higher wages.