\n<\/p>\n
PUTNAM, Conn. \u2014 A Catholic-run healthcare system has withdrawn its application to affiliate with Day Kimball Healthcare, an independent, financially struggling hospital and healthcare system in northeastern Connecticut.<\/p>\n
Covenant Health’s decision to terminate its agreement with Day Kimball in Putnam comes weeks before the state’s Office of Health Strategy was scheduled to hold a public hearing on the planned merger.<\/p>\n
Related:\u00a0Sanford, Fairview to delay merger until May 31<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAs part of our due diligence as we prepared for the public hearing, we became aware of new and updated information that resulted in our decision to not move forward,\u201d said Karen R. Sullivan, vice president of marketing and chief communications officer for Massachusetts-based Covenant Health.<\/p>\n The proposed merger had raised concerns among residents and Attorney General William Tong about the fate of reproductive health and other services in the mostly rural region of Connecticut that may be at odds with the Ethical and Religious Directives set by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, an issue that has come to light in other states as well.<\/p>\n Sullivan said in an email that Covenant’s decision to withdraw its application \u201chad nothing to do with\u201d the directives.<\/p>\n Day Kimball CEO Kyle Kramer, in a memo sent to employees, said the hospital has begun \u201cpursuing the best path forward\u201d and planned to work with local and state officials to preserve essential hospital services in the region, including \u201cexploring discussions with other potential partners.\u201d He noted that Covenant, like other healthcare providers, has faced financial difficulties since the pandemic and that may have contributed to its decision to withdraw.<\/p>\n