Proposed sale of 2 R.I. hospitals draws support, concern at first public meeting

Health care workers, union representatives, executives and members of the public Tuesday weighed in on The Centurion Foundation’s proposal to purchase two hospitals from Prospect Medical Holdings and establish a nonprofit health system.

Supporters of the transaction noted the need for maintaining health care access in the state as well as the benefits of returning the facilities to local control and operating under a nonprofit health system. Opponents raised concerns about Centurion’s business model and said there are too many uncertainties about the nonprofit’s proposal.