www.HartfordBusiness.com • March 18, 2019 • Hartford Business Journal 3
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Vincent Capece Jr.
By Sean Teehan
steehan@hartfordbuisness.com
A
mid a push across the state and much of
the country, Middlesex Health last month
raised the wages of its lowest-paid work-
ers to $15 per hour.
With this move, Vincent Capece Jr., president
and CEO of the Middletown-based healthcare
network, meant to "lead by example" on the
minimum-wage issue.
"Across the country, there
is ongoing debate about
whether minimum wage
should be increased to help
lower-wage employees
make ends meet," Capece
said. "All of our employees
are very important mem-
bers of our team, and we
aren't waiting to act."
But as issues impacting
hospitals pile up in Hartford and Washington,
D.C., Capece, like other hospital executives, will
likely be weighing in on policies ranging from
the state's hospital tax to the cost of care.
Meanwhile, Capece has been overseeing an
expansion of offerings at Middlesex, including
the addition of more orthopedic services and the
February opening of two new state-of-the-art or-
thopedic operating rooms at Middlesex Hospital,
representing a $3.2 million investment.
What are the biggest issues currently facing
Middlesex Hospital?
The Connecticut hospital tax and the insufficien-
cy of Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements
are the most pressing issues we face. Finding
innovative solutions that will enable hospitals to
deliver high-quality, lower-cost health care is a
challenge all hospitals are wrestling with.
How will Gov. Ned Lamont's decision to continue
taxing hospitals at current rates affect Middle-
sex Hospital?
The hospital tax has been very detrimental
to all Connecticut hospitals because millions of
dollars of scarce resources have been taken away
from the provision of health care. Continuing
to tax hospitals at the current rate would result
in the governor and the legislature reneging on
promised relief from this tax.
How do you view hospitals' relationship with the
Lamont administration?
It is my hope that the hospital industry, the gov-
ernor and the legislature can find a way to develop
a productive partnership, which will benefit the
health of our communities and the state's economy.
Hospital pricing has become a flashpoint as
some hospitals have been accused of charging
exorbitant fees for procedures and drugs that
are much cheaper other places. Do you think
backlash is going to force reform?
Hospital pricing is complicated. What may
seem like exorbitant pricing is often a function
of a broken healthcare system. More government
regulation is not the answer.
Middlesex has always sought to efficiently
deliver health care through participation in the
Value Care Alliance. We've been working to reduce
costs, while improving the quality of care.
VERBATIM
Political sales pitch
"Today, we're seeing interest from investors who not too long ago would never have
invested in Hartford."
Mayor Luke Bronin discussing during his State of the City address the
momentum Hartford has experienced during his three years in office. He
faces what's expected to be a tough re-election campaign this November.
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Vincent Capece Jr.
President and CEO,
Middlesex Health