Mayor Angel Taveras and Lifespan announced that the City of Providence and the healthcare provider have reached an agreement that will have Lifespan contribute $800,000 annually for the next three years.

Mayor Taveras heralded the agreement as a groundbreaking partnership that helps Providence immediately. Lifespan, Providence's largest employer, is the first hospital system to make a voluntary contribution to the city.

The hospital system will contribute $2.4 million in the next three years. Citing the three-year period for the agreement, both the Mayor and officials from Lifespan pointed to the uncertainty of the rapidly changing healthcare environment.

Lifespan is a vital community partner in Providence. The network provides charity care for individuals at or below twice the federal poverty level and offers a sliding scale for individuals up to four times the poverty level. In all, Lifespan spent more than $100 million last year on uncompensated care, which has increased dramatically over the past several years.