The news that Brown University President Christina H. Paxson had taken a leave from the Care New England board of directors was a sign that the conflict over the proposed merger of CNE and Partners HealthCare has ventured into new territory.
In recent weeks, first Lifespan then Care New England created websites questioning or extolling the virtues of the deal, respectively. As it stands, the deal is still waiting for the state to say the paperwork is complete, and then a 90-day period of evaluation will take place, at which point the deal will either be approved or denied.
It is a high-stakes game, with the outcome being seen as vital to the survival of both of Rhode Island’s largest health care systems. Lifespan wants CNE to join it in a Rhode Island-based health care system, while CNE sees becoming part of Partners as a better outcome. It will be difficult to remain neutral as the battle for the future of health care in Rhode Island escalates.
