Legislators oppose proposed Day Kimball acquisition

Officials cite concerns that Catholic system would eliminate reproductive health and other services

CONNECTICUT — Sixteen Democrat state legislators have filed a letter opposing Massachusetts-based Covenant Health’s proposed acquisition of Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, citing concerns the Catholic system would force Day Kimball to eliminate an array of reproductive health and other services.

The legislators, who represent various parts of the state including Windham, the

Hartford area and parts of Fairfield and Litchfield counties, pointed out that the merger with Covenant would place Day Kimball hospital — along with its associated health centers, home care and hospice groups — under the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. The rules, known as ERDs, limit services related to reproductive health, emergency contraception, fertility, gender-affirming, end-of-life and other care.

“This will significantly impact the quality of and access to care for women throughout Northeast Connecticut,” the letter stated. “We strongly encourage [the Office of Health Strategy] to deny this request.”

The letter was one of dozens of public comments filed with OHS, which has been reviewing the proposed deal since April. Officials have gone back and forth with Day Kimball seeking additional information, and hundreds of pages of documents have now been submitted to the state. On Nov. 17, OHS deemed the application complete.

A public hearing is imminent, according to the typical timeline OHS follows in these proceedings, known as “certificate of need” applications. An OHS spokeswoman said the hearing date has not yet been set.

Covenant Health and Day Kimball announced their agreement late last year and filed the certificate of need application to the state in April. Hospital leaders argued that the deal would provide financial stability for a struggling rural health care system, one of few health care providers in the rural northeast corner of the state. Day Kimball is one of a dwindling number of independent hospitals left in Connecticut, many of which have faced extreme financial challenges during the pandemic years.

In its response to Day Kimball’s application, OHS has twice sought additional information, including details regarding how Day Kimball would ensure access to services terminated as a result of adopting the ERDs.

“People now are asking for help decorating for the holidays,” she said. “It’s easy for you or me, challenging for those with physical limitations.”

Currently, Puzzo has about 700 clients who require services, and about 600 volunteers statewide, who work an average of one to two hours a week.

“Some of my volunteers are retired. Some are high school students who want to give back to the community when they have time,” she said. “There is a huge need that people don’t realize. This demographic of people is growing. Every day in the country, 10,000 people turn 65.”

There are four categories of help: transportation (to store, doctor, a business, senior center or rec facility); companion (play games, socialize, teach technology); yardwork (garden, walk pets, mow lawn, take out trash, bring in mail and paper, rake leaves); and housework (dust, laundry, clean rooms, iron, mop floors, clean fridge, make bed, wash dishes, bag garbage).

Clients, when they sign up, indicate what type of help they need. Volunteers willing to give that kind of help are assigned to work with them.

Stella signed up for help with UCC in August. A few months before, she was walking in her Manchester neighborhood. “I was standing up, and the next thing I knew I had fallen,” she said. “Blood was pouring down my face.”

As independent as she was, she refused to go to the hospital. A neighbor walked her home and called her son, who lives in South Windsor. He came and, when his mother started rambling, he made her go to the hospital.

She spent three months in hospitals and a nursing home recovering from a brain hemorrhage. She has not driven since then. After going home, she had an in-home 24/7 assistant. “I didn’t feel independent. I didn’t want someone living in my house,” she said. A few part-time caregivers didn’t take. So she signed up for UR Community Cares.

“Gail is wonderful. She does anything for me that I want,” Stella said.

Her health has been fragile lately, on top of the accident. She is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. “It’s been about a month since the surgery. Radiation should start soon,” she said.

In addition to getting help from Peters, she just enjoys Peters’ visits. They have become such good friends that Peters feels free to chide Stella for her independence. “I scold her, why are you going down into the basement?,” Peters said. Stella adds, “I tell her, don’t yell at me.”

Still, their mutual fondness is clear. “She is my sweetheart,” Stella said.

Those who want to volunteer for UR Community Cares can visit urcommunitycares.org.