Little more than a month ago, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo urged Lifespan and Care New England to once again – complete the process of merging. At the same time, the company that was looking to absorb CNE, Partners Healthcare, based in Massachusetts, withdrew, at least for now, from the process. The governor urged the two health care systems, as well as Brown University, through its Warren Alpert Medical School, to create a cohesive Rhode Island medical network, and she gave all the parties until the end of the summer to complete the task. And if it is not done by then, Partners will reenter the picture.
With summer two-thirds gone, one must wonder: What is taking so long for the deal to be made?
