House Republican Press Release

April 20, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. KLARIDES AND SEN. CRISCO ANNOUNCE $500,000 INCLUDED IN BONDING PACKAGE TO UPGRADE EMERGENCY SERVICES GRIFFIN HOSPITAL

Hartford – Representative Themis Klarides (R-Derby) and Senator Joseph Crisco (D-Woodbridge) announced the General Assembly’s Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee has approved a bonding package that includes $500,000 in funding for emergency services improvements at Griffin Hospital in Derby.

The grant to Griffin Hospital can be used to finance the expansion or improvements of emergency services.  The hospital is moving forward with plans to expand the emergency facilities from 14 full-service rooms to 23.

“The quality of emergency service Griffin Hospital offers is second to none,” said Representative Klarides, a member of the Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee who also volunteers as a member of Griffin Hospital’s Residency Advisory Committee.  “These funds will allow Griffin to expand its excellent services.  I am pleased the Finance Committee has moved this important measure along, and hope to see it obtain final passage this session.”

“Griffin Hospital also has an outstanding emergency department, and the expansion project will further enhance the ability of this facility to better meet the emergency health care needs in the Naugatuck Valley,” said Senator Crisco. “Emergency services plays an important role in our health care system, and I’m pleased this bond authorization has been approved by the committee.”

The funding still has to be approved by the General Assembly, the governor, and eventually the State Bond Commission.