House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

August 29, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

Rep. D’Amelio Testifies in Favor of Six Month Extension for Heart Center’s Operating Permit Commissioner Vogel Grants Extension after OHCA Public Hearing Concludes

 

Saying the Heart Center of Greater Waterbury provides services essential to the health and well-being of area residents, state Representative Anthony J. D’Amelio today urged state Office of Health Care Access Commissioner Cristine A. Vogel to grant a six-month extension of the center’s operating permit.

Representative D’Amelio’s testimony came at an OHCA public hearing at the Legislative Office Building at the State Capitol in Hartford. Commissioner Vogel granted the extension after the hearing concluded.

“I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks to Commissioner Vogel for approving the six month extension,” said Representative D’Amelio, R-71st District. “As a person with a family history of heart disease, I will be deeply involved in the effort to keep the heart center open and serving the people of Greater Waterbury for years to come. It will be a long and difficult struggle, but as long as the community remains united in its support for the heart center, I believe our efforts will be successful.”

“The Heart Center has successfully performed life saving cardiac procedures and open heart surgery to patients from Waterbury and neighboring communities.  I believe the services the Heart Center provides are vital to the health and well being of heart patients in the region and that ending this program would create a public health crisis,” Representative D’Amelio said.

“Waterbury recently hosted a rally at Kennedy High School attended by more than 2000 people who came together to support the heart center’s efforts to keep its doors open. The turnout graphically demonstrated the depth of support in the region for the center and the life saving angioplasties and open heart surgeries it performs,” Representative D’Amelio said.

“I respectfully request that you continue to support the heart center and the crucial cardiac procedures it performs for heart patients in the Greater Waterbury area,” Representative D’Amelio said.