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1/16/2025
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Sen. Bissaillon issues statement on Prospect bankruptcy
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 STATE HOUSE – 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.”
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
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