PROVIDENCE – Members of the public have another chance to voice their opinions about the proposed Lifespan Corp. and Care New England Health System merger at a virtual meeting Wednesday afternoon.
The meeting, which is slated to take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., is the state’s second public comment session on the proposed merger, which would bring the state’s two largest health care systems into an integrated academic health system with Brown University.
At the first session last week, which over 250 people attended, some commenters raised concerns about the merger while others spoke in support of it. Those against the merger said that the proposal would create a monopoly, increase health care costs and put smaller, independent health care providers at a disadvantage.
Proponents, including executives from Lifespan, Care New England and Brown, said the merger would expand access to patient care, better integrate care and foster research opportunities.
Lifespan and Care New England are on their fourth attempt to merge since 1998. The integrated health system would be the state’s largest employer and include about 80% of the state’s hospital infrastructure.
Today’s Zoom meeting can be accessed at https://esquiresolutions.zoom.us/j/93624453049?pwd=ZmJXMWtNSTlxSWVYendRdXlqbWhGZz09.
A third meeting has been added on Thursday, Feb. 10, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Members of the public also can submit written comment until Feb. 11, an extension from the original deadline on Feb. 1.
The merger would need approval from the R.I. Department of Health, R.I. Office of the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission to go forward.
