Updates from State Rep. Larry Butler for Nov. 12, 2025

November 12, 2025

I'm pleased to announce that Waterbury Hospital is being acquired by UConn Health.

This will mark a massive reset to the ownership of prior owner Prospect Medical, which ran the hospital to the brink of closure.

Under a new hospital consolidation plan, Waterbury Hospital will be acquired by UConn Health for $13 million, while Hartford HealthCare will purchase two other Prospect Medical hospitals in the state -- Manchester Memorial Hospital and Rockville General Hospital -- for $86 million.

The sales stem from the bankruptcy of Prospect Medical, which has owned the three Connecticut hospitals since 2016 and filed for Chapter 11 in January due to heavy debts, unpaid taxes, and pension shortfalls.

The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly in support of the sales during special session on Wednesday.

UConn Health, which operates John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington, is also exploring partnerships with Bristol Hospital and Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam.

This is a huge victory for the Waterbury area, which relies on Waterbury Hospital not only for healthcare, but also as a local source of employment.

Budget Reserve Fund

Also during special session, the legislature addressed the need for temporary adjustments to the Budget Reserve Fund and the appropriation of funds to offset reductions in federal programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and others that directly impact Connecticut residents.

We also took up a number of additional priorities aimed at supporting essential state programs and maintaining fiscal stability. House Bill No. HB-8003 is the state's $500 million funding response to cutbacks in federal funding.

The funding will cover gaps in the SNAP, WIC, and the Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program, also known as LIHEAP. Connecticut will not sit by idly as the federal government attacks middle and low-income families.

It’s important to note that now that the government shutdown has ended, if Connecticut’s $500 million budget reserve fund is not used by July 1, 2026, any remaining funds will automatically be transferred to help pay down the state’s unfunded pension debt

Housing Bill

From retirees looking to downsize, to young professionals and families searching for affordable rentals, Connecticut residents at every stage of life share a common goal: finding a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.

Partnerships are at the heart of this effort. The bill empowers towns to plan for responsible, data-driven growth using insights from state, local, and regional partners to meet the housing needs of today and tomorrow. Developed in partnership with municipal leaders, regional councils, colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and Governor Lamont, this legislation creates a collaborative and practical framework through local Housing Growth Plans.

The legislation also encourages the redevelopment of underused properties, from aging strip malls to vacant commercial spaces, and promotes transit-oriented development that connects residents to jobs, schools, and public transportation. By combining innovation with local control and targeted support, we’re strengthening the partnership between the state and municipalities to modernize infrastructure, improve zoning and land-use planning, and create vibrant, inclusive communities across Connecticut.

There’s still more work ahead, but An Act Concerning Housing Growth marks a major step forward in our shared effort to expand housing opportunities, support local economies, and ensure every Connecticut resident can find, and afford, a home in a community they’re proud to call their own.

Childhood Behavioral Health

During special session on Wednesday, we passed legislation that continues to build on House Democrats’ commitment to children’s behavioral health care.

Highlights include:

Statewide study to assess the demand for children’s behavioral health services and improve data collection
New grant program to support care coordination and resource navigation for kids and families
Insurance companies must now cover autism treatments — including applied behavior analysis and cognitive behavioral therapy — up to age 26
Adding substance abuse treatment providers for children to Transforming Children’s Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee (TCB)

Together, these measures represent a stronger, more coordinated system of care for Connecticut’s children.

Veterans Day Ceremony

On Tuesday I attended a Veterans Day ceremony at City Hall hosted by Black Women United. Thank you to those who served our country. Your sacrifices remind us of the true cost of liberty and the strength of the American spirit.