Elected officials in Massachusetts are expressing their frustration and anger after Steward Health Care announced plans to close two hospitals in the state. Steward, a Texas-based company that operates eight hospitals in Massachusetts, declared bankruptcy earlier this year and decided to sell all its hospitals. While negotiations for potential buyers are ongoing for six hospitals, Steward has not found qualified bids for Carney Hospital in Dorchester and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer. As a result, the company has announced the closure of both facilities on or before August 31.
The announcement of the hospital closures has drawn a strong response from leaders, patients, and healthcare workers across the state. Rep. Stephen Lynch warns that the closure of Carney Hospital would have a devastating impact on the healthcare network in that part of Boston, especially in terms of mental health and psychiatric care. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who has been a patient at Carney, highlights the disproportionate impact the closure will have on low-income individuals and non-English speakers, accusing Steward executives of endangering lives in pursuit of profit.
Union leaders and lawmakers have pointed out that Steward’s planned closures violate state and federal laws. Massachusetts law requires hospitals to provide a 120-day notice before any proposed closure. Sen. Ed Markey plans to send a letter to the federal bankruptcy court in Texas overseeing Steward’s proceedings, asking for a court mandate to ensure compliance with legal requirements. Markey also intends to request a reduction and restructuring of Steward’s real estate leases and to ask private equity and real estate creditors to direct revenue from the sale of Steward’s remaining hospitals to the state’s healthcare system.
Markey and Pressley both vow to fight against Steward’s actions, promising to work towards getting patients the care they need, ensuring accountability, and enacting legislation to prevent similar situations in the future. They express their determination to fight against Steward’s greed and mismanagement.
In a recent bankruptcy filing, Steward claimed a $30 million commitment from state officials in Massachusetts to support its facilities in the coming weeks. The filing also requested authority to close Carney and Nashoba Valley, proposing a timeline for closure by the end of August. A spokesperson for Governor Maura Healey confirmed the commitment of $30 million to ensure the continued operation of Steward’s hospitals in Massachusetts through the end of August. However, the spokesperson also blames Steward’s greed and mismanagement for the hospitals’ current financial situation.
The closure of Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center has raised concerns about access to healthcare in Massachusetts. Elected officials are taking action to hold Steward Health Care accountable and to ensure the rights of the community are protected. Their efforts aim to prevent further harm to the healthcare system and to prioritize the needs of patients and healthcare providers over corporate interests.
