Local legislators speak out
against LIFE STAR cut
Five state legislators from eastern Connecticut voiced strong support for restoring state funding to the LIFE STAR program during a legislative breakfast in Norwich Tuesday.
"In this budget, we need to make decisions about what's important, what's critically important, and what's a matter of life and death," said state Sen. Edith Prague, D-19th District. "LIFE STAR is a matter of life and death."
The legislative forum was sponsored by the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce, and moderated by Todd Postler, a Backus Board member.
The LIFE STAR medical helicopter program is "on the chopping block," said State Rep. Steven Mikutel, D-45th District. "And we need to get it off."
Gov. M. Jodi Rell has proposed eliminating the $1.39 million subsidy the state provides to Hartford Hospital to operate the $7-million-a-year program, which includes a helicopter at The William W. Backus Hospital and one at Hartford Hospital. Nearly 500 of LIFE STAR's 1,200 annual patient transports originate from Backus.
The program received a glimmer of hope on Thursday, when the Appropriations Committee released its proposed biennial budget for 2010 and 2011. The proposed budget preserves funding for LIFE STAR. But this may change as legislative committees continue to stem the state's budget deficit, estimated at more than $8 million over two years.
Local legislators were adamant Tuesday in their belief that this program needs to be saved from the budget ax.
LIFE STAR survivors
 Bridgette Landry
Stroke Patient
"Without LIFE STAR I don't know if I would be sitting here today talking to you right now. If it saves one life, that's one life that is still here today because of that helicopter."
 Debra Moran and son
Arthur Moran
Arthur was a trauma patient
"When I heard that LIFE STAR might be cut my heart sunk. How can you put a price tag on someone's life; your own child's life, your motherʼs life, your husband's life? LIFE STAR saves lives, itʼs there for a reason and it shouldn't be taken away from Eastern Connecticut.
 Joseph Buyak
Hartford Police Department Captain and a cardiac patient
"I can understand that we're in tough economic times and I can respect an administrator's position on trying to save a buck. However ... doing away with a program like that, in that (rural) part of the state, is absurd. If you save one life by using the LIFE STAR helicopter then itʼs all worth it. I hope and pray that they'll make the right decision and keep it where it should be."
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