PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island’s largest hospital system and one of the state’s largest independent primary care providers are discussing an affiliation they say would unify health care delivery in the state.
The deal, which officials with both companies stopped short of calling an acquisition, was announced Thursday by Coastal Medical President and CEO Dr. Alan Kurose and Lifespan President and CEO Timothy Babineau.
They said they do not believe the partnership requires regulatory approval from the state. They hope to complete the deal by the end of the year.
“Coastal Medical has set the standard for excellence in primary care nationally and we look forward to bringing that expertise to all of the patients Lifespan serves,” Babineau said in a statement.
Lifespan is the state’s largest employer, and operates Rhode Island Hospital, Hasbro Children’s Hospital, The Miriam Hospital, Bradley Hospital, and Newport Hospital.
Coastal has 125 medical providers and 500 employees on 20 offices across the state.
“We have a real opportunity to improve performance in quality and cost,” Kurose said in a statement.
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