The state legislature is prepared to pass a budget that would leave UConn and UConn Health with a $164 million deficit, resulting in devastating consequences for our members, our patients, our students, and our families.
We need members to call Governor Lamont and their state representative and senator right now—your voice is urgently needed to help stop this.
We need Hartford to hear that a budget that does not support UConn is not acceptable. Ask that they only support a budget that fully funds UConn’s block grant request.
UConn has already made great progress on the state’s requests to us. Patient revenue at UConn Health has more than doubled from $500 million to $1 billon. Overall enrollment was increased by 1,000 students last fall. Private donations have increased from $80 million last year to $130 million and a $1.5 billion capital campaign was just launched.
Despite what has been mentioned in the media, UConn does not have “reserves” of cash that can be used in place of the block grant. All funds in our possession are budgeted and will be spent.
A phone call makes all the difference. It only takes a few contacts from constituents to convince your legislator to do the right thing. If you don’t know the name or contact information for your legislators, we have an easy tool on our website.
Phone calls to elected officials do not need to be complicated:
- Introduce yourself as their constituent (This part is very important. Legislators understand that their role is to represent the members of their districts).
- Let them know that you wish for them to support a budget that fully funds UConn’s block grant request.
Call Gov. Lamont now:
Contact Gov. Lamont at (860) 566-4840
Please forward any responses that you receive from your legislators to dthomas@uhp3837.com.
And join us at the Connecticut for All Rally this Saturday to show your support for an equitable budget.
In Solidarity,