$352M UConn Health Center plan unveiled

FARMINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) - Gov. M. Jodi Rell has unveiled a $352 million plan for improvements at the University of Connecticut Health Center, including a new hospital tower and health care network.

The Governor believes the expansion of the UConn Medical Center will improve the overall quality of medical care across the state.

"I believe it is an initiative that will transform the delivery of health care in the greater Hartford area and the entire state for generations to come," said Gov. Rell.

Included in the grand plan is a new patient tower at John Dempsey Hospital as well as renovations to the facilities at the Farmington campus. Other highlights include:

- A cancer center
- Primary care institute at St. Francis
- Simulation center at Hartford Hospital
- Transference of neonatal ICU to Connecticut Children's Medical Center
- Creation of a bio-science enterprise zone
- Creating a support network to expand access to clinical trials.

"What do we get out of it? We get enhanced primary care, more doctors, more dentists," said Gov. Rell.

Rell said the goal here is to make Connecticut healthier both from a medical and employment perspective.

"More than anything else, it is an investment that will lead to greatly improved health care system to our residents and thousand of jobs. It's estimated over 5,000 jobs in the next couple of years," said Gov. Rell.

So how will this be paid for? More than $200 million will come from state bonding; $25 million from previously approved funding; and an anticipated $100-million from Senator Chris Dodd that got inserted in the Senate health care reform bill.