Care New England

Care New England. It is a major nonprofit health system headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, serving as a critical provider of healthcare services across the state. The system is closely affiliated with Brown University through its Warren Alpert Medical School, functioning as a primary teaching hospital network. Its operations encompass several acute-care hospitals, a psychiatric facility, and a network of community-based primary and specialty care practices.

History

The system was formed in 1996 through the merger of Butler Hospital, a renowned psychiatric institution, and Kent County Memorial Hospital in Warwick, Rhode Island. It expanded significantly in 2009 with the acquisition of the former Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, which had been part of the Lifespan system. A pivotal development occurred in 2013 when Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, a national leader in obstetrics and gynecology, fully integrated into the system, having previously been a partner. This consolidation created one of the dominant healthcare providers in the state, alongside its chief rival, the Lifespan network. The system's growth has been closely tied to its academic partnership with Brown University and its Warren Alpert Medical School.

Facilities and services

The system's flagship facility is Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, a premier center for women's health and a major site for neonatal intensive care unit services. Its other acute-care hospitals include Kent Hospital in Warwick and the Butler Hospital psychiatric facility in Providence. It also operates the Care New England Medical Group, a large multi-specialty physician practice network. Key service lines include advanced maternity care, behavioral health through the Butler Hospital, oncology, cardiovascular services, and orthopedics. These facilities serve as critical teaching sites for medical students and residents from Brown University's Warren Alpert Medical School.

Governance and leadership

The system is governed by a board of directors comprising community leaders, physicians, and executives. Historically, leadership has included prominent figures from the Rhode Island business and healthcare community. The system's president and chief executive officer has been a position held by individuals with extensive experience in hospital administration, often navigating complex financial and strategic challenges. Day-to-day clinical and operational leadership is provided by hospital presidents, chief medical officers, and chief nursing officers across each member institution. The governance structure works in close consultation with the leadership of Brown University due to their deep academic affiliation.

Financial performance and challenges

The system has faced significant and persistent financial difficulties, reporting operating losses for many consecutive years. These challenges have been attributed to factors including high fixed costs, reliance on government payers like Medicaid and Medicare, and competitive pressure from the larger Lifespan system. State regulators, including the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner, have closely monitored its fiscal stability. In response, the system has undertaken numerous restructuring efforts, including service consolidations and workforce reductions, to achieve financial sustainability and maintain essential services for the community.

Merger and partnership attempts

Seeking a path to financial stability and greater scale, the system has engaged in several high-profile merger discussions. The most significant effort was a proposed merger with rival Lifespan and academic partner Brown University, which was abandoned in 2022 after opposition from state and federal regulators, including the Federal Trade Commission and the Rhode Island Attorney General. Prior to that, in 2018, it entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Partners HealthCare (now Mass General Brigham) of Boston, but that deal was called off following regulatory concerns. These failed consolidation attempts have left the system exploring alternative partnerships and strategic options to ensure its long-term viability within the New England healthcare landscape.

Category:Hospital networks in the United States Category:Healthcare in Rhode Island Category:Companies based in Providence, Rhode Island Category:Non-profit organizations based in Rhode Island