Partners HealthCare says it is withdrawing its bid to acquire Care New England, Rhode Island's second-largest hospital system.
The announcement Tuesday by Boston-based Partners came after Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo urged Care New England, Lifespan and Brown University to resume negotiations toward the establishment of a locally-run, academic medical center in the state.
Partners said in a statement that it supported Raimondo's goal of a "strong and supportable" medical system for Rhode Island. But the company added that it would be ready to "reengage" with the state at a later time.
Lifespan, which operates Rhode Island, Hasbro Children's, Newport and Bradley hospitals, had been highly critical of the proposed merger of Partners and Care New England, which operates Kent, Butler and Women & Infants hospitals.
