RI wants hospital to pay overdue fee

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island officials are asking a state judge to order Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket to pay its annual $5.6 million licensing fee that's nearly a month overdue.

The Providence Journal reports that the hospital was supposed to pay the fee by July 16. State Tax Administrator David Sullivan says Landmark now also owes the state nearly $560,000 in interest and penalties.

The hospital has been in receivership since 2008, but has paid its licensing fee on time in previous years. A court hearing on the matter is set for Aug. 22.

Landmark spokesman Bill Fischer said there have been broader issues with federal reimbursement for uncompensated care and the licensing fee, when asked why the fee hasn't been paid.