NEW: Lifespan Officials Say Talks with City will Continue
Friday, February 17, 2012
Mayor Taveras today met with Lifespan president and CEO George Vecchione and Mark Montella, Lifespan's senior vice president of external affairs, to discuss plans to increase voluntary payments to the city.
"We had a very candid and cordial conversation with Mayor Taveras about the needs of the city of Providence," Montella said in a statement. "We share his concerns and are sensitive to the challenges he faces. We also shared with him the challenges facing hospitals in Providence and throughout Rhode Island. We’ve agreed to continue discussions and explore ways that the hospitals might provide help to the city through mission-driven initiatives."
Taveras has called on the seven largest tax-exempt institutions in the city to make an additional $7.1 million in payments to the city. To date, only Johnson & Wales University has agreed to increase its payments.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTConvincing the hospitals may be an even tougher sell than the colleges. According to a Lifespan spokeswoman, Rhode Island Hospital provides $79 million in uncompensated care annually -- between charity care and bad debt -- and The Miriam Hospital offers about $17 million.
