Healthcare Regulatory

healthcare

With large healthcare system mergers on the horizon, our Office plays an important role in making sure these significant transactions meet the conditions of approval required by the Hospital Conversion Act. This oversight protects Rhode Islanders’ access to care.

Hospital Conversions Act

The purpose of the Hospital Conversions Act is to:

  • Assure the viability of a safe, accessible and affordable healthcare system that is available to all of the citizens of the state
  • Establish a process  to review  whether  for-profit  hospitals  will  maintain,  enhance,  or  disrupt  the delivery  of  healthcare  in  the  state  and  to  monitor  hospital  performance  to  assure  that  standards  for community benefits continue to be met
  • Establish a review process and criteria for review of hospital conversions
  • Clarify the  jurisdiction  and  the  authority  of  the  department  of  health  to  protect  public  health  and welfare  and  the  department  of  attorney  general  to  preserve  and  protect  public  and  charitable  assets  in reviewing  both  hospital  conversions  that  involve  for-profit  corporations  and  hospital  conversions that include only not-for-profit corporations
  • Provide for  independent  foundations  to  hold  and  distribute  proceeds  of  hospital  conversions consistent with the acquiree's original purpose or for the support and promotion of health care and social needs in the affected community