A bill introduced by state Sen. Dawn Euer (D-Newport) would double the membership of a state advisory group known as the Health Services Council.
Euer said she’s introduced a similar proposal before and that it was sparked by concerns related to the closing of Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket in 2018.
“I first introduced this bill in 2018 to restore the strength and intent of the Hospital Conversions Act, which was established to protect patients and frontline health workers,” she said. “This law has been dangerously eroded in recent years and S493 prioritizes accountability for those who seek control of our healthcare delivery. Healthcare is a calling, and we must honor that.
The Public’s Radio reported last week on concerns involving two significant votes by just a fraction of the 12-member Health Services Council.
In one case, the council voted 4-to-1 last month to recommend a change of ownership involving the Prospect Medical Holdings, the parent company of Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in North Providence and Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence. That was despite new questions about Prospect’s finances.
Prospect Medical withdrew the proposed change last week after objecting to financial conditions sought by Attorney General Peter Neronha.
In another instance, the Health Services Council voted 3-to-2 last year to approve an inpatient rehab facility in Johnston that a state consultant called unnecessary.
That vote remains the subject of a legal challenge. Opponents argue in part that the vote was improper since so few members of the Health Services Council participated.
Euer’s legislation would double the council’s membership, from 12 to 24.
It includes heightened disclosure requirements for council members and for applicants to specify plans for maintaining health services.
Sen. Louis DiPalma (D-Middletown) has called the votes cited by The Public’s Radio as a concern, and he’s called for a reassessment of the size of the membership of the Health Services Council.
Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis@ripr.org. Follow him on Twitter @IanDon. Sign up here for his weekly RI politics and media newsletter.