UConn Loses $100 Million Federal Grant

FARMINGTON -- The University of Connecticut Health Center, which was pinning hopes for renovations and a new hospital tower on $100 million in federal grant money, has been passed over.

The money will instead go to Ohio State University for a similar project, the federal Health Resources and Services Administration announced this afternoon.

The grant, included in the federal health care reform legislation, was not specifically earmarked for UConn, but was lobbied for extensively by Sen. Chris Dodd and later by Gov.-elect Dan Malloy.

"I am terribly disappointed in this decision by the Obama Administration.  While this was a competitive grant that attracted numerous applicants, Connecticut made a very strong case that I am surprised did not match or exceed the applications by other states," Dodd said in a statement.

"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. 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."

Now that the university has lost the grant, they go to work on fundraising. UConn had hoped to add the $100 million to $237 million in state bonding and $25 million diverted from other UConn funds. The hospital renovations would build a $236 million patient tower at UConn's John Dempsey Hospital and renovate existing space for $96 million. An additional $30 million would be spent on UConn Health Network programs involving the area hospitals.

The Health Network, created through legislation last summer, would bring area hospitals together to provide high-quality health care while sharing costs. The institutions involved include the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain, Hartford Hospital, St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Bristol Hospital and Waterbury Hospital.

The UConn project promised to create 5,000 jobs and boost UConn's standing among medical and dental schools thereby attracting more qualified students, UConn officials said.

According to UConn spokesman Chris DeFrancesco, the hospital plans to go forward with the project despite losing the grant money and will make up the balance through fundraising.

"We deeply believe in the strength of all the regional initiatives within the UConn Health Network and the critical importance of the John Dempsey Hospital renewal plan," said Philip E. Austin, interim president in a statement to faculty and students. "Efforts to implement our renewal project, construct the patient care tower and establish the UConn Health Network will continue as we seek to secure necessary funding."