Sixteen Democratic state legislators have signed a letter opposing Tewksbury, Mass.-based Covenant Health's planned acquisition of Putnam, Conn.-based Day Kimball Hospital based on concerns that the Catholic health system could limit reproductive and other types of care, The Connecticut Mirror reported Dec. 22.
Covenant and Day Kimball came to the agreement late 2021 and filed a certificate of need application in April. Hospital and health system leaders argue that without the merger, Day Kimball would be in dire financial straits and at risk of closure.
The lawmakers opposed the merger on the grounds that Covenant Health could limit reproductive health, emergency contraception, fertility, gender-affirming, end-of-life and other types of care under the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.
A local group of organizers has gathered 1,500 signatures opposing the merger. A public hearing is imminent to discuss the certificate of need application and the merger. However, a date has not been set.