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PROVIDENCE – While state regulators had little time to examine Brigham Health's proposed acquisition of Care New England, Lifespan on Wednesday launched an intensive campaign warning that Rhode Island health care consumers would be subject to "disastrous consequences" if the acquisition was approved.
The President and CEO of Lifespan, Dr. Timothy J. Babineau, and his Board of Directors say instead that the interests of the state would be best served by "a unified university health system based in Rhode Island," formed by the merger of Lifespan and Care New England in association with Brown University and its Warren Alpert School of Medicine.
The parties have discussed such a merger before, without success. But another effort must be made – and urgently needed – Babineau told The Providence Journal.
"Rhode Island deserves at least a fully integrated health care system, and we currently have zero," said Babineau. "It is so that the quality improves. This is how the costs are controlled. Over the 11 years of my life and the 10 years that preceded my arrival, everyone understood the interest of a Care New England health care system, Lifespan, Brown. We still believe that it is the best solution for the health of Rhode Island. "
Citing documents provided to the state Department of Health, which weighs the acquisition project, Lifespan's board chairman, Lawrence A. Aubin Sr., wrote:
"We now know that the partners do not intend to invest in CNE" and "will pay $ 0 for CNE and will not make any capital investment, but simply a takeover of $ 15,000. community assets built by Rhode Islanders on behalf of Rhode Islanders Loss of Care New England, a community asset and the decision to sell these assets to Boston at zero cost is a travesty. "
Lifespan operates, among other divisions, Rhode Island, Hasbro Children's, Newport and Bradley Hospitals. Care New England operates, among others, Kent, Butler and Women & Infants hospitals.
Jane Bruno, senior vice president of marketing and communications for Lifespan, told the Journal: "We want to make sure the public is aware of what it will mean for health care now and what it will mean for care. future health care. "
According to Babineau, if the acquisition was approved, the local impact would not be immediate. Rather, he said the effects would be felt over time as some health professionals, doctors, and researchers migrated to Boston.
Babineau said, "This is one of the biggest decisions that the state will make as long as I live here, and that will have consequences for the years to come."
The reactions to the Lifespan campaign varied.
"A thriving local health sector is vital to the state's economy and Governor Raimondo is committed to ensuring that care remains accessible and affordable," said Josh Block, press secretary, in an email. "The governor has made it clear that she would support agreement if this ensures the continuity of local, inexpensive and high quality health services for all residents of Rhode Island."
"In the past, I advocated an integrated health care solution that would allow Care New England and Lifespan to partner with Brown to create a unified university medical center in Rhode Island," said the President of Brown, Paxson. "However, many previous attempts to achieve this vision have failed.Although I remain committed to the vision of a thriving academic medical center, it is uncertain that another attempt involving Lifespan and Care New England would be fruitful." at the present time.
"Brigham's financial strength, world-class medical center status, and stated commitment to locally delivered care offer an attractive alternative to a" local "solution, ultimately the Ministry of Health and the Rhode Attorney General Brown's Island will remain firmly committed to the following objectives: to provide the highest quality health care, outstanding medical education, better research opportunities and biomedical innovation that fuels the economic development of Rhode Island. "
Betsy Nabel, president of Brigham Health, and Dr. James Fanale, director of Care New England, wrote: "The Care New England acquisition project by Brigham Health will create a stronger health system for the people of Rhode Together, we will offer affordable and affordable solutions, and our longstanding affiliation with Kent Hospital demonstrates that we are maintaining on-site care: less than 1% of our patients are transferred to Brigham Health – and it's the patients who are sicker who need highly specialized care.
"The acquisition by Brigham Health would strengthen CNE's recent financial turnaround and provide the much needed financial stability.We are exploring the potential for clinical development, including the development of new, lower-cost community-based ambulatory care centers that "We have worked closely with the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Attorney General to ensure that this collaboration strengthens Rhode Island's health system for all."
The Care New England acquisition project by Brigham has lifted the regulatory hurdles in Massachusetts, but the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Attorney General must also decide on the deal. Spokesman Joseph Wendelken last week told the newspaper that the Ministry of Health had asked for additional information. Upon receipt, "the full application will be posted online and we will have 90 days to make a decision".
Public hearings will be held during this 90-day period.
Babineau told the paper, "We want the state leaders, both the legislature and the executive, as well as the business leaders and the community, to understand what is on offer and what is on the table. and take a critical look at it. to agree on whether they think this is in the best interest of health care in the future state – or whether the alternative we discussed, the state solution, is a best solution. "
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