March 8, 2005

REP. DILLON APPLAUDS HOUSE PASSAGE OF FUNDING TO STUDY THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH OF CONNECTICUT SOLDIERS

Representative Patricia Dillon (D-New Haven) applauded House passage Wednesday of legislation that would send significant funding to New Haven and would facilitate the study combat and its effects on the behavioral health of Connecticut soldiers (Bill 6489). The studies would be covered by a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Fairfield Hills Hospital. The property was sold to the Town of Newtown for $3.9 million.

Rep. Dillon said, “This bill is a statement: Connecticut stands by the brave men and women that protect our freedoms. Studies funded by this legislation will help us learn some of the behavioral health challenges that soldiers face when they return from combat.”

In language originally authored by Rep. Dillon, the legislation reserves $530,000 for Yale Medical School’s Department of Psychiatry for a study of the behavioral health aftereffects of combat service on Connecticut soldiers and their families; and $810,000 for transitional behavioral health benefits for soldiers and their families.

The bill also secures $425,000 for behavioral health programs for preschoolers at the Hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven.

The legislation awaits action by the State Senate.

Representative Dillon was first elected to the General Assembly in 1984. She is an Assistant Majority Leader and serves on the Higher Education and Judiciary committees.