UConn health center misses out on federal grant

by: ctblogger

Wed Dec 29, 2010 at 16:23:59 PM EST

Connecticut failed to secure the $100 million federal grant it need to help pay for the $362 million expansion of the University of Connecticut Health Center and John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington.

The project, which was approved by the legislature and signed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell this summer, planned on using the $100 million made available under the national health care reform act to help defray some of the costs. In fact Rell and the legislature made the project contingent upon the state getting $100 million from a federal grant or through private donations.

[...]

"Although I am disappointed, I applaud the University of Connecticut for putting together such a strong application, and the State Legislature for providing the critical support we needed," U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, who was instrumental in including the money in the federal legislation, said in a statement. "And while this is no doubt a setback to Connecticut's efforts to expand and improve John Dempsey Hospital, it is my hope that all parties involved will continue their efforts to further establish a center of health care excellence here in our state."