Why Brown Health’s Potential Facility Closures Are Being Called a ‘Catastrophe’ for Community Care

Brown University Health is thinking about closing two key facilities in Rhode Island: Gateway Healthcare and the Samuels Sinclair Dental Center. These centers provide essential behavioral health and dental care, and their potential closure could hurt many people in the community.

Gateway Healthcare, founded in the 1960s, is the state’s biggest nonprofit for behavioral health, helping over 25,000 Rhode Islanders every year. It offers services like mental health support and substance abuse treatment. However, it faces financial challenges. Linda Hurley, the head of CODAC, a similar nonprofit, notes that behavioral health services often get lower reimbursements, making sustainability tough.

The Samuels Sinclair Dental Center, the oldest practice in the state for people with special needs, has served the community since 1931. It sees about 19,000 patients each year, many of whom require specialized care due to their conditions. Without it, patients might struggle to find similar services elsewhere. Elizabeth Benz, the center’s director, emphasizes that very few providers can care for this population effectively.

According to a recent internal memo from Brown Health’s CEO, John Fernandez, rising costs are prompting this review. The financial stakes are high: Gateway Healthcare reported a loss of over $5 million last year. The state did increase Medicaid funding recently, but it’s still not enough to bridge the gap.

Experts warn that closing these facilities could lead to overcrowded primary care offices, straining an already burdened system. Jen Etue from Open Door Health describes the potential impact as “catastrophic,” especially as demand for behavioral health services is growing.

The situation has sparked reactions on social media, with many advocates speaking out against the closures. They argue that losing these centers would not just cut access to care; it could destabilize an already fragile support system for vulnerable populations.

As Brown Health evaluates its options, many are left anxious about the future of vital services in Rhode Island. The potential closures highlight the larger issues within our healthcare system, especially regarding funding and support for essential services.

For further insights into healthcare funding, you might check out the Kaiser Family Foundation, which provides in-depth analysis and statistics.

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