Connect with us

Rhode Island

Judge says sale of RI hospitals can move forward – TPR: The Public's Radio

Published

on

Judge says sale of RI hospitals can move forward – TPR: The Public's Radio


Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in North Providence have been losing money for years. According to Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, that’s because the California hedge fund that owns them has prioritized investor returns over patient care.

California-based Prospect Medical is now trying to sell these two Rhode Island hospitals to an Atlanta-based nonprofit called the Centurion Foundation.

But Prospect, a national hospital chain based in Los Angeles, ended up filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month before it could complete the sale. The company recorded debts up to $10 billion.

The bankruptcy filing meant a judge needed to approve the sale, and time was of the essence, because the company could not afford to keep running the hospitals.

Advertisement

Even so, various stakeholders opposed the sale for different reasons.

Rhode Island’s attorney general attached a list of 85 conditions that must be met before a new owner can take charge.

Federal regulators from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services attached a laundry list of conditions too, as did the United Nurses and Allied Professionals (UNAP), the union representing 1,200 employees at the two hospitals.

At a hearing in Dallas Wednesday, Chief Judge Stacey G.C. Jernigan of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Northern District of Texas heard from state and federal officials, lawyers, bankers, and others before giving the green light.

“The court believes that all objections have been resolved, withdrawn, or overruled,” she determined. “So with that the court will approve the transaction.”

Advertisement

That means the sale can now go ahead, with a closing date set for 30-to-60 days time.  

Centurion has not yet come up with financing for the deal, but Anne Wallace, an attorney for Sidley Austin LLC representing the hospital’s current owners, indicated that Centurion’s financing was contingent on a closing date.

Neronha said in a statement, “The bankruptcy court’s approval of this sale provides reason for cautious optimism.” 

While Nehrona applauded the idea that the hospitals will no longer be owned by a private equity firm, he emphasized there is still work to be done to meet the conditions set out by the state.

“These safety-net hospitals are absolutely critical for maintaining delivery of safe, affordable and accessible health care services in Rhode Island. Roger Williams and Fatima provide services to largely underserved and underinsured communities, and we must maintain their viability. And in order for us to give these hospitals a fighting chance, our conditions must be met. If all parties meet our conditions as they say they intend to, today brings us one step closer to the finish line.”

Advertisement

Dr. Jerry Larkin, Director of Health for the Rhode Island Department of Health, issued a statement saying he was pleased by the court’s decision to allow the sale to go forward.

“While some steps in this transaction are still outstanding, we are committed to the two facilities having new ownership,” he said.  “Rhode Island needs a stable network of hospitals that supports the health and wellness of every community in the state.”



Source link

Advertisement

Rhode Island

RI Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Oct. 29, 2025

Published

on


The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Oct. 29, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Oct. 29 drawing

04-24-49-60-65, Powerball: 01, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Oct. 29 drawing

03-04-33-36-43, Lucky Ball: 02

Advertisement

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from Oct. 29 drawing

Midday: 3-2-7-5

Evening: 4-7-2-4

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from Oct. 29 drawing

09-10-14-20-25, Extra: 08

Advertisement

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

  • Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
  • Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
  • Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.

When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
  • Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
  • Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
  • Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.



Source link

Continue Reading

Rhode Island

ACLU of RI sues McKee alleging denial of access to regularly used State House rally area | ABC6

Published

on

ACLU of RI sues McKee alleging denial of access to regularly used State House rally area | ABC6


PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Attorneys for the ACLU of Rhode Island have filed a lawsuit against RI Governor Dan McKee, alleging the governor’s office explicitly told state and capitol police to bar protesters from accessing the State House rotunda and upper floors.

The rally was planned to take place in the rotunda an hour before McKee’s January 2025 State of the State address.

The event was to be attended by local groups including Rhode Island Homeless Advocacy Project and by activist Harrison Tuttle.

Tuttle was the President of the now dissolved Rhode Island Black Lives Matter PAC at the time.

Advertisement

The suit claims that Tuttle and fellow protesters arrived to be told that McKee’s office instructed police from letting them enter.

Tuttle was told by police that he in particular was not allowed to enter the areas, according to the suit.

The suit also claims that other people were allowed to access those areas of the State House.

The suit states that the rotunda is commonly used by protesters, and that its entrance was blocked off by capitol and state police.

A sign accompanied the officers that said the rotunda was reserved from 4:30-10 p.m., and the governor’s office didn’t reserve the area until 4:39 p.m., according to records cited by the ACLU of RI.

Advertisement

The protesters were directed by police to the “Bell Room” for their event, which is a less visible area in the back of the State House’s first floor, according to the suit.

The ACLU of RI statement reads in part:

In any event, despite being ‘reserved,’ the rotunda was not used for any purpose during that timeframe. The lawsuit argues that the Governor’s reservation of the space and the Capitol and State Police’s actions were undertaken to stifle the protesters’ exercise of their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.

Executive director of the Rhode Island Homeless Advocacy Project Eric Hirsch, a participant in the suit stated:

I’ve been advocating for an end to homelessness in Rhode Island for a long time. I was shocked to see the Rotunda at the Statehouse roped off when I arrived for the People’s State of the State rally. I had attended dozens of rallies there over the years. To make matters worse, we were also prevented from getting anywhere near the Governor’s address. We were confined to a lower floor of the Statehouse. This is unacceptable. We have a right to express our view of the Governor’s policies toward people experiencing homelessness.

ABC6 has reached out to the office of Governor Dan McKee for comment in this matter but has not yet heard back.





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Rhode Island

RI GOP asking for resident input for upcoming Washington Bridge oversight hearing | ABC6

Published

on

RI GOP asking for resident input for upcoming Washington Bridge oversight hearing | ABC6


PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island Republican leaders are asking for public input ahead of an upcoming oversight hearing on the Washington Bridge forensic report.

The report, recently revealed to have been withheld by Governor Dan McKee at attorneys’ advice, will be the subject of the planned November 13 oversight hearing.

McKee stated that he knew that repairs were needed on the bridge for two years before its December 11, 2023 westbound side closure, but was confident that work was underway.

McKee said that once he was aware the bridge deficiencies were irreparable, he approved the closure.

Advertisement

Rhode Island House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale said in a statement, in part:

Now that the Speaker and Senate President have committed to ‘a thorough and rigorous examination’ of the Washington Bridge failure and have empowered the Joint Oversight Committee to take testimony under oath, Rhode Islanders deserve answers without delay on this on-going administrative disaster.

Residents can contribute questions to the hearing process via email at rigopcaucus@gmail.com.

 





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending