MAYOR O’LEARY STATEMENT ON THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL No. 35: AN ACT CONCERNING NOTICE OF ACQUISITIONS, JOINT VENTURES AND AFFILIATIONS OF GROUP MEDICAL PRACTICES

WATERBURY, CT – Waterbury Mayor Neil M. O’Leary today issued the following statement regarding the passage of Senate Bill No. 35: An Act Concerning Notice of Acquisitions, Joint Ventures and Affiliations of Group Medical Practices.

“I could not be more pleased with the passage of this vital legislation.  Frankly, I’m ecstatic. This ensures that quality healthcare is available in Waterbury and to residents throughout the region.  I see this as the beginning of a vastly improved healthcare system in the future.  While I was disappointed at the time that a previous version of this bill was vetoed last year, I have to acknowledge that this legislation provides Waterbury with a far greater result.  It provides for an appropriate and necessary process to ensure access and quality healthcare services are available to all of our residents.  Governor Malloy’s leadership in making this happen is probably one of the most important initiatives affecting Waterbury in a generation.  I wish to extend my personal gratitude to the Governor for this outstanding result.  Our entire legislative delegation did an extraordinary job in this effort, and was also consistently engaged and effective in advocating for this outcome.

Our local hospitals are a lynchpin within this region. They not only ensure quality of life by the services they provide but are also one our largest employers.  I firmly believe that this legislation ensures the future viability of these institutions and will lead to significant new investment and improvement to the quality of healthcare.  This is also a great boost to our economic development initiatives, as a region’s healthcare system is a key benchmark in attracting new businesses.”

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