Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan, Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton Harris, City Solicitor Steve Buoniconti, Chief Administrative and Financial Officer Cathy Buono, and city officials joined this morning with Rick Sullivan and team from the Western Mass Economic Development Council and Diana Szynal and team at the Springfield Regional Chamber for a conversation concerning the State of Healthcare in Western Mass given the Current State of Federal Policies and Regulations led by Congressman Richard Neal and Peter Banko, CEO of Baystate Health. They explained the crucial economic impacts of healthcare in our region, a field that employs tens of thousands in Massachusetts, and 13,000 right here at Baystate Health.
A number of regional stakeholders were in attendance including Chicopee Mayor John Vieau, Easthampton Mayor Salem Derby, leaders from our colleges and universities, health centers, and business leaders.
Mayor Sarno states, “I deeply appreciate Congressman Richie Neal and Baystate Health CEO Peter Banko for leading this important discussion. Thank you also to the Springfield Regional Chamber and Western Mass EDC for facilitating this conversation. As Congressman Neal explained today, health care expenditures provide us with a certain quality of life that we should not forego. Massachusetts is #1 in the world in medical care, especially in medical research and development, and training – people come from all over the world to access Massachusetts healthcare. Not only does this impact healthcare services, it impacts a crucial four-letter word, J-O-B-S! As well as spinoff effects to peripheral industries like supplies, technology, food service, etc. My administration and I continue to diplomatically urge a positive resolution and fight for proper health care services for our Springfield residents and Western Mass region.”
