PROVIDENCE –– Governor Carcieri wants Rhode Island’s community hospitals, some already teetering on the edge of financial disaster, to give up nearly $32 million in the coming months to help solve the state government’s financial troubles.

The money, which was supposed to help reimburse hospitals that give free care to the uninsured, is part of Carcieri’s $357-million midyear budget repair plan that is packed with unpopular cuts.

But lawmakers, hospital administrators and even the health insurance industry attacked the hospital cut yesterday as irresponsible and dangerous.

“This is going to honestly destroy us,”

The Providence Journal

The latest unemployment numbers are awful. U.S. job losses accelerated in the last two months, pushing the nation’s unemployment rate to a 14-year high in October. As workers lose their jobs, a crucial benefit they must keep is their health insurance. Don’t go without this.

It may be tough to pay the premium while you search for a new job, but you’ll really be in a world of hurt if a major illness or accident wipes out what funds you have. “If you think losing your job is a possibility in the next year, start reviewing your employer health-care plans now,” said Sam Gibbs, a senior vice president and consumer ...