News & Press Releases
May 1, 2009 — Hospitals Announce That Affiliation Process Clears Latest Hurdle, Continues On Schedule.
Officials at Roger Williams Medical Center and St. Joseph Health Services of Rhode Island are pleased to announce that the joint application for affiliation of the two hospitals has been accepted as "complete" by both the RI Attorney General and Department of Health, the two state offices responsible for reviewing and approving the application. They are the first acute care hospitals to reach this milestone in the conversion act review process.
The application will now undergo a 180 day review process that includes a public hearing as well as final consideration and approval by the Health Department's Health Services Council.
The Hospitals submitted an application under the Hospital Conversion Act on February 6, 2009. They seek to affiliate under a joint holding company called CharterCare Health Partners. This 24,000 page document was reviewed by both the Attorney General and Health Department, following which both agencies submitted a number of questions. Answers to those questions were provided within the prescribed timetable and the application was subsequently deemed complete on May 1.
"This process is all about ensuring community access to care," said Kenneth Belcher, president and CEO of Roger Williams Medical Center. "We appreciate the continued guidance of the Attorney General and Department of Health and we will continue to work diligently with them to successfully complete the conversion process and maintain focus on our mission of providing the highest quality healthcare services to all who come to our doors seeking our care. "
John Fogarty, president and CEO of St. Joseph Health Services added," There has been a tremendous level of collaboration between all parties to reach this point, which certainly bodes well for the success of our hoped-for affiliation. We now look forward to the public review process."
If the application is approved, CharterCare Health Partners will operate a total of 579 licensed hospital beds, employ approximately 3200 employees and have annual operating revenues of approximately $330 million.