RISC's mission is to address quality of life issues in Rhode Island, and citizen access to competent and proximate medical care is certainly a concern that affects all Rhode Islanders. A crisis has developed among community hospitals, whose financial resources are dangerously dwindling. The reasons are many, and according to the "Report of the Community Hospital Task Force", presented in July 2007 to Governor Donald L.Carcieri and Lt. Governor Elizabeth H. Roberts, "Unless systemic changes are made, most community hospitals will face continued financial trouble in the coming years. A few hospitals will face more difficulty in the next two years, and one community hospital is in dire financial trouble right now."

The Task Force report is linked here for your convenience, as well as an explanatory document regarding Westerly Hospital, whose circumstances reflect the struggles of those throughout the Ocean State.

Click HERE to read the "Report of the Community Hospital Task Force."

Click HERE to read a Talking Points memo regarding the financial crisis at Westerly Hospital.
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