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7/10/2025
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Representatives oppose announced layoffs at Women & Infants Hospital
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STATE HOUSE — A group of 34 representatives are calling on management at Care New England to rethink plans for layoffs at Women & Infants Hospital.
“We are writing as elected officials to express our strong opposition to the announced layoffs at Women & Infants Hospital. The workers affected have more than 150 years of combined service and perform essential roles that support expecting mothers, newborns, and families during critical moments of care. Cutting these positions will directly undermine the quality of care that Women & Infants is known for providing,” they said in a letter Rep. David Morales delivered at a press conference Wednesday, July 9 alongside affected workers at Women & Infants.
“At a time when the healthcare system is already strained, eliminating positions that directly support patient care makes no sense. The impact will be felt most by mothers and babies who rely on this hospital for safe, compassionate, and timely care,” the legislators continued.
The legislators noted that Care New England, the hospital network that includes Women & Infants, has recorded profits for eight straight quarters and received a bond rating upgrade in May that reflects this improved financial position.
“We urge you to rescind these layoffs and work with the union to ensure that families, newborns, and frontline healthcare workers receive the support they need. The future of maternal and infant care in our state depends on it,” they concluded.
The letter was signed by Reps. Edith H. Ajello (D-Dist. 1, Providence), Rebecca Kislak (D-Dist. 4, Providence), Raymond A. Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence), Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence), Enrique George Sanchez (D-Dist. 9, Providence), Scott A. Slater (D-Dist. 10, Providence), Charlene M. Lima (D-Dist. 14, Cranston, Providence), Brandon Potter (D-Dist. 16, Cranston), David A. Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston), Joseph J. Solomon, Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Warwick), Evan P. Shanley (D-Dist. 24, Warwick, East Greenwich), Thomas E. Noret (D-Dist. 25, Coventry, West Warwick), Earl A. Read III (D-Dist. 26, Coventry, West Warwick, Warwick), Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry), Julie A. Casimiro (D-Dist. 31, North Kingstown, Exeter), Robert E. Craven Sr. (D-Dist. 32, North Kingstown), Teresa A. Tanzi (D-Dist. 34, South Kingstown, Narragansett), Kathleen A. Fogarty (D-Dist. 35, South Kingstown), Brian Patrick Kennedy (D-Dist. 38, Hopkinton, Westerly), Megan L. Cotter (D-Dist. 39, Exeter, Richmond, Hopkinton), Deborah A. Fellela (D-Dist. 43, Johnston), Stephen M. Casey (D-Dist. 50, Woonsocket), Arthur J. Corvese (D-Dist. 55, North Providence), Cherie L. Cruz (D-Dist. 58, Pawtucket), Jennifer A. Stewart (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket), Leonela Felix (D-Dist. 61, Pawtucket), Jenni A. Furtado (D-Dist. 64, East Providence, Pawtucket), Jennifer Boylan (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence), June S. Speakman (D-Dist. 68, Warren, Bristol), John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton), Michelle McGaw (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton), Terri Cortvriend (D-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown) and Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport).
The full letter is included as an attachment.
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
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