PROVIDENCE – Care New England and Brigham Health are publicly promising to keep health care local and affordable, and reiterating that a merger between the two will result in investments in Care New England’s Rhode Island facilities.
The health care networks launched a website Tuesday that addresses a number of concerns aired by Lifespan Corp., the state’s largest health care network, which has been a vocal critic of the proposed acquisition of CNE by Partners HealthCare, Brigham Health’s parent company.
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CNE’s site appeared about a week after Lifespan unveiled a public campaign against the potential deal.
“Rhode Islanders deserve the facts about Care New England and Brigham Health’s commitment to providing world-class health care locally.,” CNE spokesman James Beardsworth said in a statement. “RIhealthfuture.com provides information to our community about the benefits of this proposal and offers details on how we will keep care local and affordable, improve infrastructure, and create opportunities for the expansion of ambulatory care and jobs. We hope Rhode Islanders will visit the site and our social media channels, review the information, and get the facts.”
Addressing the worries most often repeated by Lifespan, CNE refutes claims that a merger will drive doctors, patients and medical resources to Boston, raise health care costs and cut jobs.
The site also disputes Lifespan’s claims that Partners and Brigham have no intention of improving Care New England’s facilities, which include Kent, Women & Infants and Butler Hospitals.
CNE points to Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School designation as its primary research and academic institution as evidence that Rhode Island will continue to retain and recruit top doctors.
“Keeping care local is paramount to us. This is about bringing affordable, world-class care to the people of Rhode Island, ensuring that Rhode Islanders will continue to have access to high-quality care close to home. Patients will only travel to Boston when it’s medically necessary and in the best interest of the patient’s care,” the site says.
State officials will begin a 90-day review process on the merger once applications submitted to the Rhode Island Department of Health are complete. Public hearings are expected during the review.
Elizabeth Graham is a PBN staff writer. Email her at Graham@PBN.com.
