Relations have apparently soured between Rhode Island health systems Care New England and Lifespan after the collapse of a potential merger earlier this summer.
In June, a potential deal for Partners HealthCare to acquire Care New England (CNE)—Rhode Island's second-largest health system—was stymied following a request by Rhode Island's governor that the health system continue to explore efforts to create a "unified, local system" with state-based institutions Brown University and Lifespan.
But last week, the Boston Globe reportedly obtained letters documenting some tense exchanges between Care New England President and Chief Executive James E. Fanale, M.D., and Lifespan President and Chief Executive Timothy J. Babineau, M.D.
According to a letter published by the Globe and dated July 25, Fanale said Lifespan abruptly terminated a case management program delivered by Care New England's accountable care organization Integra at a Lifespan hospital. Specifically, he said in the letter, Integra was informed its case managers would no longer be allowed to assist patients at Lifespan's Rhode Island Hospital.
"The timing of this decision seems coincident with and in retaliation to Care New England's recent decision to exit merger discussions," the letter reads.
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"Your accusation that the decision was retaliatory and related to the end of our negotiations is as offensive as it is absurd," the letter reads.
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