Charity sues R.I. hospital over free bed donated century ago

When Louisa Lippitt died in 1912, she left $4,000 to Rhode Island Hospital on the condition the money be used to provide a permanent "free bed" for needy patients. A successor to the charity she selected rediscovered her bequest, but the free bed is long gone. Now, Children's Friend and Service is suing to get the healthcare back. Rhode Island Hospital was among many facilities that had "free-bed funds" through which donors could set aside a hospital bed for the poor. In Rhode Island Hospital's case and others, officials say interest from those funds continues to help cover healthcare costs for people who can't afford them, but not through a specific hospital bed.