The Looming Bankruptcy of Prospect Medical Coalition Reporter: Rhode Island State Senator Jake Bissaillon (D1) Joins Pat Ford in a Conversation

Freshman Senator Jake Bissaillon, no stranger to the City Halls of Providence, or the corridors of the Rhode Island State House. has taken a leadership role in the affairs of newly bankrupt Prospect Medical, whose Roger Williams Medical Center sits prominently in the 1rst Senate District of Rhode Island.

Coalition Reporter Pat Ford caught up with Senator Bissaillon, at the State House late Thursday (see video above), to discuss the underlying issues surrounding the bankruptcy, as well as bring additional light to the importance of both Roger Williams Medical Center & Fatima Hospital, to the lives of Providence residents.

From the Senate Office of Senator Jake Bissaillon:

Senator Jake Bissaillon Issues Statement on Prospect Bankruptcy

 Sen. Jacob E. Bissaillon (D-Dist. 1, Providence) today issued the following statement regarding the federal bankruptcy filing by Prospect Medical Holdings, which owns Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in Rhode Island:

“As the senator representing District 1, which includes Roger Williams Medical Center, I am deeply concerned about the federal bankruptcy filing by Prospect Medical Holdings. For years, Roger Williams and Fatima hospitals have faced serious challenges under for-profit ownership, raising significant alarms about their financial stability and the impact on our communities.

“I commend Attorney General Peter Neronha and the Rhode Island Department of Health and their teams for their thorough review of the proposed sale of these hospitals to the nonprofit Centurion Foundation. Their diligence, coupled with the conditions they placed on the transaction, reflects a commitment to safeguarding the public interest.

“These hospitals are essential to Rhode Island’s health care infrastructure. Roger Williams and Fatima serve many thousands of patients annually, including a large population of Medicaid and Medicare recipients and those requiring behavioral health care. If they were to close, it would not only harm the communities they serve but also place immense strain on other hospitals and health care providers statewide.

“I echo the sentiments of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, who has demonstrated unwavering leadership on this issue for years. From early calls to investigate the pension collapse to his recent advocacy for new ownership, the Senate President has profoundly shaped policy decisions and the public discourse concerning these hospitals. Due in large part to that advocacy, the Centurion Foundation has committed to enhancing services, expanding care networks, and protecting jobs. I look forward to working with them and community leaders to ensure these commitments are met.

“I urge the bankruptcy court to expedite its review and approve the sale of these hospitals to Centurion Foundation without delay. Rhode Islanders deserve stability, access to quality care, and a future for these vital community hospitals that prioritizes their well-being over profit.”