Public hearings on Centurion Foundation acquisition of CharterCARE hospitals set

Two public hearings on the proposed sale of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital have been scheduled for later this month as part of the regulatory review process underway by the state’s attorney general and health department.

The pair of hearings will give members of the public the opportunity to provide input on the hospital conversion application by prospective buyer Atlanta-based Centurion Foundation Inc. and prospective seller, private equity company Prospect Medical Holdings Inc. Centurion is looking to acquire the two hospitals plus affiliated physician groups, agencies and offices operated by Prospect Medical subsidiary CharterCARE for $80 million in cash, a steep discount to the listed price of $160 million.

State regulators release documents on proposed sale of Roger Williams, Fatima hospitals

The hearings are scheduled for both Tuesday, March 19, and Tuesday, March 26, 2024, from 4-6 p.m. in room 110 of Alger Hall at Rhode Island College, located at 600 Mount Pleasant Ave., Providence.

The Rhode Island Department of Health and the Office of Attorney General have until June 11 to complete a review and determine whether all statutory criteria are met and the public’s interest is protected before issuing their respective decisions. The deadline is set by the state’s Hospital Conversions Act (HCA) which requires a review to be completed within 180 days of the date an application is accepted for review. The application was deemed complete on Dec. 14, 2023.

Members of the public have the option of joining the hearings virtually or submitting comments in writing. Details to join the hearings virtually will be posted on the website and social media channels of both the attorney general and health department.

The health department and the attorney general’s office have extended the period for submitting written comments on the application by another month to March 29. Originally the deadline for written comments had been Feb. 29. Those who have already submitted written comment may supplement their comments until the new March 29 deadline.