Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 11/24/2009
By Richard Salit Mriam Hospital and Newport Hospital have received a nearly $7- million gift from the Prince Charitable Trusts to support their emergency departments. The gift will establish the Frederick Henry Prince Memorial Fund to benefit the two LIfespan network hospitals and create the Wood Prince Emergency Nursing Program to provide training for emergency room nurses Close to $4...
Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 11/24/2009
By Richard Salit Gerry Moniz didn't hesitate when asked what she thinks of the nationally publicized dispute between Providence Bishop Thomas J. Tobin and Patrick Kennedy over whether the congressman should refrain from taking Communion given his support for abortion rights. "I think Patrick Kennedy is wrong," Moniz, 56, said when asked to comment on Monday at an East Providence...
Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 11/19/2009
By Richard Salit In response to reports questioning the effectiveness of mammography, the state Health Commissioner announced on Thursday that Rhode Island law still requires health insurers to pay for mammograms. Earlier this week, the United States Preventive Services Task Force , an independent group of experts convened by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, said it no...
Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 11/18/2009
By Richard Salit The Senate voted on Wednesday for a military construction appropriations bill that would provide $73.85 million next year for improvements at Naval Station Newport . "This federal funding will allow the Navy to make critical renovations at Naval Station Newport," Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) said in statement announcing the unanimous vote. "This federal investment...
Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 11/16/2009
By Richard Salit The Rhode Island Health Insurance Commissioner has reduced the rate increases that private companies were seeking for Medicare supplmental insurance plans to averages of about 3 percent to 4 percent. Supplemental insurance, also known as Medigap , is purchased by seniors who want coverage that goes further than traditional Medicare, including help with co-insurance payments...
Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 11/09/2009
By Richard Salit Rhode Island ranks sixth in the nation for the percentage of children under 21 who receive dental care through Medicaid, according to a federal agency. Local officials credited RIte Smiles , a program begun in 2006, with providing dental care to 46 percent of children on Medicaid in 2008, up from 38 percent two years earlier, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Medicare...
Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 10/30/2009
By Richard Salit Rhode Island will receive $30 million in federal aid for conservation and clean water projects under budgets approved by the House and Senate on Thursday. While the aid is targeted for six specific projects around the state-- including a unique ultraviolet disinfection plant in Newport -- the lion's share, or about $27.5 million, will be deposited in revolving state accounts...
