Political, Union Leaders Gather in Support of Landmark

PROVIDENCE -- After suffering pain in his shoulder for several days, Dan Couture went to the emergency room at Landmark Medical Center on Christmas morning. Soon after he walked through the door, doctors told him
he was having a heart attack.

Today he's back on his feet, and speaking out in support of a deal that will keep the Woonsocket hospital open.  "Landmark was ten minutes away from my home," he told reporters Tuesday. "The doctors and nurses – everyone there -- did a great job. They saved my life. That was my Christmas present."

The North Smithfield resident delivered his message at a rally outside the state's Department of Health, surrounded by political leaders and union officials. Their goal: to urge state officials to quickly approve an application by Steward Health Care Systems to purchase Landmark. The sale may be the only way to keep the financially-troubled hospital from shutting down,
which would force people in the Woonsocket area to travel to Providence for
medical care.

Facing cameras and a gaggle of reporters, Couture told how the staff at Landmark diagnosed his condition minutes after his arrival. A short time later, doctors had him in an operating room, where they placed two stents in his body.  He spent four days recovering in the hospital's intensive care unit.

"If not for their quick response, I might not be here today to tell you about the importance of Landmark," he said. "Providence Hospital is great, but I may not have had time to get there."

A number of speakers at the rally echoed those words of support, including US Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI).  “Landmark Medical Center is a treasured
community asset and particularly important to the residents of Woonsocket,” he said. “It's important that we protect the jobs that Landmark Medical Center provides and do everything we can to ensure that Landmark, a facility that provides critical health services for the people of Northern Rhode Island, stays open.”

Landmark was established in 1988 by merging Woonsocket Hospital and John E. Fogarty Memorial, which had served northern Rhode Island residents for more than 130 years. Today more than 175,000 people rely on Landmark for services ranging from emergency care to oncology to obstetric services.

These days, however, finances have become a challenge. The hospital
has operated under state receivership for the past three years. Last summer
Superior Court Judge Michael Silverstein approved the sale of Landmark to Steward Health Care, a Boston-based hospital chain, for a $71 million. The move is expected to ease fiscal woes and keep the hospital in operation.

But before the deal goes through, state law requires close government scrutiny. Both the state Department of Health and the state attorney
general must approve the sale, a lengthy process that has killed similar
acquisition deals for other hospitals.

Those at yesterday's rally urged the state to keep the review process on the fast track. “The people of Woonsocket deserve the peace of mind that this facility will continue to provide quality, affordable health care,” said Mayor Leo Fontaine.  “I urge state regulators to approve this sale as expeditiously and responsibly as possible.”

Health care for area residents is hardly the sole concern. Several speakers talked about the role Landmark plays in the region's economy.

Fontaine noted that more than 1,200 people work at Landmark, making the hospital Woonsocket's second largest employer. "It's important that we retain those jobs in the city," he said.

Those employed at Landmark aren't the only people whose livelihoods depend on the hospital staying open, according to Chris Callacci, a lawyer for United Nurses and Allied Professionals, a union that represents many
Landmark employees.

"Because of service contracts, equipment contracts, and leases, that economic engine generates many, many more jobs," he said. "With one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, Rhode Island needs to do everything it can to keep working families employed. Jobs, jobs, jobs -- that's the message we want to share with you from United Nurses."

"When companies are looking to move into an area, they certainly talk about quality of life issues," added John Gregory, president of the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce. “If Landmark Medical Center closes its doors, it will take a significant part of Woonsocket’s economy with it. ”Keeping this institution open is a key part of getting our state’s economy back on the right track.”

While they voiced concern, no one at the rally said there's been any sign the application is in trouble. "At this point, it's entirely up to the attorney general and the Department of Health to answer that question," Callacci said. "We can't foresee any reason why it won't go through, but that's their job."

Cicilline told the gathering that Gov. Lincoln Chafee wants the deal to go through, adding that he had joined the governor on a tour of the hospital. “We both heard directly from patients how important Landmark is to their health and wellbeing,” he said.

Fontaine has also met with Chafee to discuss the plan. “The governor has continually voiced support for the project,” he said.