The House of Representatives has passed legislation authorizing a massive overhaul of the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, as well as the development of a regional health network, The Associated Press reports.
The House approved the bill on a 109-34 vote Saturday night. It now awaits action in the Senate.
The project’s cost is estimated at $362 million. The bill authorizes $237 million in borrowing, including money that will be shifted from bonds originally earmarked for other UConn projects. Connecticut is also seeking $100 million from the federal government.
The far-reaching project calls for renovating the 35-year-old John Dempsey Hospital at the Farmington site, building a new patient tower and increasing classroom and lab space for the medical school. It also creates economic zones to boost the bio-science industry.
