Senate leadership denounce the deal
President of the Senate Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4,
North Providence, Providence) and Senate Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight
Committee Chairman Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton,
Newport, Tiverton) made the following joint statement:
“We are extremely disappointed with the Health Services
Council’s vote to approve the Change in Effective Control of Prospect
CharterCARE Roger Williams Medical Center, Our Lady of Fatima Hospital,
Prospect Blackstone Valley Surgicare and Prospect Rhode Island Home Health and
Hospice.
“There have been a number of very concerning red flags, including several serious issues raised by the consultant hired by the Council to advise them on the proposed transaction. These issues should have given the Council pause.
“Unfortunately, the warning signs were ignored, which could
impact the future of the hospitals, including access, quality and
affordability. We are also very concerned about the potential impact to the
dedicated staff who continue to provide exemplary service to their patients.
“We demand that Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott and her staff conduct a comprehensive review of the results produced by the consultant. The results of PYA’s study are very concerning to us, as it should have been to the Health Services Council.”