The Connecticut Hospital Association held a news conference Tuesday to talk about the financial impact of the pandemic on state hospitals.

The association's most recent report shows expenses are $3.5 billion higher than before the pandemic.

Health officials say hospitals also face the ongoing issues of labor shortages and rising treatment costs.

"The report sounds the alarm that Connecticut must focus on sustaining robust health care delivery systems for patients across the state. And as the backbone of health care systems, hospitals simply cannot do this if they cannot cover their costs," said Jennifer Jackson, CEO of Connecticut Hospital Association.

Health care officials say policymakers need to provide more direct funding to hospitals.