Vernon Mayor 'Optimistic' About Hartford HealthCare Bid For Rockville Hospital, ECHN

VERNON, CT — Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne Friday said he is "optimistic" about Hartford HealthCare's bid to acquire Rockville General Hospital, Manchester Memorial Hospital and all of its parent, Eastern Connecticut Health Network.

With the transaction under review by the state Office of Health Strategy, Champagne said he is hoping for a timely decision. The state agency must issue its decision by Dec. 30, which, if approved, would enable Hartford HealthCare to take over operations at the RGH and others early in the new year.

Champagne spoke in favor of the acquisition during Tuesday’s Office of Health Strategy public hearing and said he believes Hartford HealthCare's stewardship of the hospitals would be good for Vernon and the region.

"I completely support Hartford HealthCare’s purchase of Rockville and Manchester," Mayor Champagne said. "Obviously, Eastern Connecticut Health Network has been struggling for some time and this is something that is truly needed. Hartford HealthCare provides quality medical care and I look forward to what they will bring to ECNH as a whole, including Rockville General Hospital."

Hartford HealthCare’s management of the hospitals is only one part of why the company's acquisition is crucial, Mayor Champagne said.

He said most of the local physician offices rely on the hospital for pay and benefits and related services, such as billing. Other important services such as laboratory services, dialysis, walk-in clinics, and a variety of therapies are also run by ECHN and "could vanish" if Hartford HealthCare doesn’t step in to take over Rockville and Manchester, he said.

"The two hospitals are an important part of the equation, but there is so much more," Champagne said. "I am concerned healthcare system in our area would be devastated if Hartford HealthCare’s purchase of ECHN is not approved."

Another important consideration is the region’s emergency medical services. Many patients who call an ambulance request to be taken to Hartford Hospital or St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, rather than Rockville General Hospital.

"We have about 6,000 EMS calls a year in Vernon," Mayor Champagne said. "That’s about 16 calls a day. That means ambulances from Vernon and other nearby communities are tied up much longer on calls and therefore not available to respond to other calls. Having Hartford HealthCare managing the emergency department at Rockville General Hospital would likely cause more patients to want to go there, rather than make the longer trip to Hartford, and free up our ambulances sooner."

In announcing a partnership as the presenting sponsor of the Manchester Road race, Hartford HealthCare representatives were not shy about a desire to expand the company's community presence and specifically mentioned "Manchester" and "Rockville at the annual Earl Yost pre-race news conference.