Care New England, Partners, Lifespan Corp. announce collaborative talks

PARTNERS HEALTHCARE, CARE NEW ENGLAND and Lifespan have announced they are in formal talks to explore how all three health care providers might work together to strengthen patient care delivery in the state.
PARTNERS HEALTHCARE, CARE NEW ENGLAND and Lifespan have announced they will enter formal talks to explore how all three health care providers might work together to strengthen patient care delivery in the state.

PROVIDENCE —  As Care New England and Partners HealthCare of Massachusetts pursue a definitive agreement to merge, the entities are also exploring a collaboration with Lifespan Corp. to leverage coordinated care.

“Care New England and Partners HealthCare have approached Lifespan and will begin formal discussions to explore how all three health care providers might work together to strengthen patient care delivery in Rhode Island,” the companies announced Tuesday in a joint statement.

The announcement aligns the market power of the state’s two largest health care systems, all its hospitals and much of its health care infrastructure.

“By combining the talent, experience and resources of our like-minded, provider-based organizations, we envision creating a national model that fully leverages the integration and coordination of care. In doing so, we are better equipped to meet market challenges and mandates to improve outcomes while reducing health care costs,” according to the statement.

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Care New England spokesman James Beardsworth declined to comment further on the statement.

In an internal Lifespan memo, President and CEO Timothy J. Babineau provided a brief preview of the announcement to staff, citing the health care industry’s dynamic and highly competitive environment.

“As health care professionals, we are aware of the industry’s constant and growing pressures to evolve and do so quickly. From frontline caregivers to operational staff, we are challenged daily to work smarter to not only provide world-class care to our patients but advance medicine as a whole. With these challenges have come innovation, creativity and opportunity,” Babineau said.

In a separate statement, Babineau expressed optimism for what the collaboration could mean for health care in Rhode Island.

“I am excited about what this could mean; for our patients, our mission, and the Rhode Island and regional health care delivery system. Lifespan has always been interested in partnering with like-minded, superb organizations, and I look forward to the discussions and the potential to continually improve the seamless and coordinated care we deliver to our patients,” Babineau said.

Lifespan Corp. declined to comment further on the details of the collaboration.

Care New England owns Kent Hospital in Warwick, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island in Providence, the VNA of Care New England, based in Warwick, Butler Hospital in Providence and The Providence Center in several Rhode Island locations.

Lifespan Corp. owns Bradley Hospital in East Providence, Gateway Healthcare located in Charlestown, Johnston and Pawtucket, Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, Newport Hospital in Newport, Rhode Island Hospital in Providence and The Miriam Hospital in Providence.

Rob Borkowski is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Borkowski@PBN.com.

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