Care New England, Southcoast Health moving forward with affiliation

THE PARTNERSHIP between Care New England and Southcoast Health would create one of New England’s largest nonprofit, community-based health care systems.
THE PARTNERSHIP between Care New England and Southcoast Health would create one of New England’s largest nonprofit, community-based health care systems.

(Updated 2:49 p.m.)
PROVIDENCE – Care New England and Southcoast Health have moved to the next step in their affiliation process, thanks to votes by their respective boards.
Charles R. Reppucci, board chair for Care New England, and Jean F. MacCormack, board chair for Southcoast Health, made the announcement about the latest step in the affiliation process in a press release issued Tuesday.
The combined system would create a two-state, eight-hospital, $2 billion-plus nonprofit health care system with more than 15,000 employees serving Southeastern New England.
Back in November, the two organizations announced their intent to study a potential partnership.
Now, as a result of the votes, the parties will move toward executing the affiliation agreement. They also will initiate the required regulatory review processes in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Both organizations will continue their due diligence reviews, and start to develop plans to operate an integrated health system.

Care New England and Southcoast Health would be combined under a new system parent entity to be named following a brand assessment.
Southcoast Health President and CEO Keith A. Hovan will serve as president and CEO of the new health system parent company. Care New England CEO Dennis D. Keefe will become CEO of the Population Health Initiative, a signature program for the unified system
Care New England’s board will select the new chair of the system parent board, and the Southcoast Health board vice chair will serve as its vice chair. Southcoast Health and Care New England will each select 10 individuals in all to serve on the new system parent Board of Trustees.
“This affiliation helps to build an even stronger future for our organizations while importantly maintaining our steadfast commitment to our local communities. We look forward to continuing this collaborative and transparent process, sharing additional details about our vision for health care delivery as plans are developed and as we begin the regulatory process,” MacCormack said.

In other news, the executive vice president of the 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East issued a statement regarding the planned merger between Care New England and Southcoast Health.

Union Executive Vice President Tyrék D. Lee Sr. said the union recognizes that the proposed merger may better serve the health care needs of patients and communities in Southern New England, but it is also aware of risks of the proposed transaction.

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“Health care workers will fight for a transparent process that keeps health care costs down and limits disruption for patients and communities with regard to any changes in access or services. Just as important, health care workers will advocate for a merger that best insures employment security and creates quality jobs for employees, including good wages, opportunities for training and advancement, and a free and fair union election process that respects workers’ right to organize,” Lee said.

Care New England is the parent organization of Butler Hospital, Kent Hospital, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, the VNA of Care New England, The Providence Center, CNE Wellness Center and Integra, created in collaboration with the Rhode Island Primary Care Physicians Corporation.
Through Butler, Memorial and Women & Infants, Care New England has a teaching and research affiliation with The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Kent also is a teaching affiliate of the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Southcoast Health includes the three hospitals that make up Southcoast Hospitals Group – Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham, and Southcoast Behavioral Health in Dartmouth, a joint venture hospital with Acadia Healthcare.

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