Hospital gets grant for diabetes, obesity
By Andrew Lightman/ Daily News Staff
Sunday, September 17, 2006
MILFORD -- The state has awarded Milford Regional Medical Center with a $200,000 grant, which the hospital will use to help boost its diabetes and obesity prevention programs.
The state Executive Office of Health and Human Services announced the grant Thursday, as part of a $38 million award to hospitals and community health centers across the state.
"It's intended to improve the financial health of hospitals and community health centers across the state," said Health and Human Services spokesman Dick Powers. "I don't think you'll find one (hospital) that would say they couldn't use it."
With the money, Powers said many health care providers will be able to boost their technology to, for example, allow doctors to file electronic prescriptions.
Other hospitals may use the money to keep pace with increased patient demand and changes to the state's health care system, brought on by the state's new universal health care coverage law, Powers said.
Milford Regional Medical Center President and CEO Frank Saba said his hospital will put the money to good use.
"We have a number of programs that deal with chronic illnesses like diabetes and obesity, and we are hopeful to use those funds to help with those issues," Saba said. "A lot of them are education and disease management (programs) on how to live a healthier life."
Saba said Milford Regional applied for the money at the end of August, with the expectation it would be notified quickly. After getting the news Thursday, Saba said he was very pleased.
"As you might imagine, we are grateful to (state) Rep. (Marie) Parente and (state) Sen. (Richard) Moore for helping us secure those funds."
Obesity Grant