Connecticut hospitals are being told they may not receive about $150 million in anticipated payments because of state budget problems.Office of Policy and Management Secretary Ben Barnes informed hospital chief financial officers this week the payments are on hold until Democratic Governor Dannel Malloy's administration finds ways to address the budget deficit.
Barnes says he is "not optimistic" the administration "will be able to move forward with any further state payments this fiscal year."
The current fiscal year is more than $220 million in deficit. The following year is projected to be $900 million in the red.
The Connecticut Hospital Association says the current payments being withheld and past cuts total about $300 million. CEO Jennifer Jackson says Malloy’s actions are "breaking the health care system."
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