Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today announced his decision to conditionally suspend the Office’s investigation into the merger between Brown University Health’s physician organization, Brown Health Medical Group (BHMG), and Brown Physicians Inc. under the Office’s antitrust review authority. As part of the conditions set forth in the agreement, Brown University Health has agreed to take on 40,000 new patients and hire up to 27 new primary care providers (PCPs), among other stipulations that will increase access to primary care for Rhode Islanders and will ensure physicians are better supported and compensated.

"Our healthcare system is in crisis, and Rhode Islanders know it,” said Attorney General Neronha. “They know that they can’t find a primary care doctor or other provider, or when they can, they have to wait months for an appointment. They have been failed by commercial insurers, who have not done enough to build adequate provider networks. This despite insurers receiving authorization from the McKee Administration for 50% increases over the past five years in the amounts they charge nearly 20% of Rhode Islanders for health insurance. Finally, Rhode Islanders have been failed by leaders in government who have been unable or unwilling to increase primary care reimbursements from Medicaid and Medicare."