To the Editor,

Hospitals across the country are facing significant financial challenges due to a perfect storm of chronic staffing shortages resulting in a reduction in available inpatient beds, a pause on elective surgeries for several months over the past years due to the pandemic, increased operating costs from worldwide supply chain issues and the end of the federal CARES Act funding. While it is comforting to not be alone in this, it is concerning for what the future holds for the health care system as a whole, and how that impacts us here locally.

The support from leadership at the State House, and in particular the Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and their leadership teams, in providing funding in the FY23 budget for hospitals in Rhode Island, could not have come at a more needed time. As the health care workforce is leaving the field in droves, now more than ever is when investment in our health care system is needed to ensure our long-term stability.

While we are implementing strategies to address our financial challenges and continue to offer excellent care, the reality is that the health care system in Rhode Island needs continued backing of our state leaders. We are grateful to have leadership in the legislature at this critical time in health care that shares our goals to keep excellent care and jobs in Rhode Island so we can take care of our community and remain strong and prepared if there are future waves of COVID or another public health crisis.

We remain grateful for the hard work of the Lifespan and CNE teams on behalf of our patients and families.

Arthur Sampson, Interim President and CEO, Lifespan

James E. Fanale, MD President and CEO, Care New England