The acclaim: That after years of failed efforts, Rhode Island would finally have an integrated, academic-based health system supporting world-class care and research.
The concern: That such a system could result in layoffs and also prove costly to consumers and insurers, as has happened elsewhere in the United States with mergers.
Sen. Joshua Miller, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, falls in the latter camp.
In an email, Miller cited the experience of Massachusetts-based Partners HealthCare, which merged two major hospital systems, Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women’s. The combined system is now called Mass General Brigham.
PROVIDENCE A year ago this morning, I boarded an Acela train bound for New York City. I took a seat on the right so I could behold the Manhattan skyline when we crossed the Hell Gate Bridge over the East River. Morning papers in hand, I went to the café car for coffee.
All was well as I traveled to a favorite destination on a favored mode of transportation.
My purpose was attending Toy Fair 2020 to publicize my then-latest book, “Kid Number One: Alan Hassenfeld and Hasbro,” the sequel to my 1998 title, “Toy Wars.” The visit also would be a chance to reconnect with old friends and to break bread with them in city restaurants.