The recent announcement by the Healey administration regarding the future of five Massachusetts hospitals operated by Steward Health Care has sparked a mix of relief and concern among patients, staff, and communities. The decision to transition the operations of Saint Anne’s Hospital, Good Samaritan Medical Center, the Holy Family Hospitals, and Morton Hospital to new owners, as well as the use of eminent domain to transfer control of Saint Elizabeth’s to a new owner, marks the end of Steward’s presence in the state.
Governor Maura Healey emphasized that these moves were necessary due to Steward Health Care’s bankruptcy proceedings, which were a result of what she described as the „greed and exploitation“ by Steward CEO, Ralph de la Torre, and his team. The administration’s priority is to ensure the continuity and improvement of care for the communities served by these hospitals.
Under the new agreements, the Holy Family hospital campuses will be operated by Lawrence General Hospital, Morton and Saint Anne’s will be run by Lifespan, and both Good Samaritan and Saint Elizabeth’s will be taken over by Boston Medical Center. Governor Healey expressed gratitude for the partnership and commitment of these new operators to maintain and enhance the quality of care in these communities.
However, the closure of two other Steward Health Care hospitals, Carney Hospital in Dorchester and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, was not impacted by the recent announcement. Healey reassured the communities affected by these closures that the administration is committed to supporting them through a $30 million commitment to keep the facilities open and by providing job re-hiring assistance to staff.
Despite the positive developments for the five hospitals under new management, the fate of Steward-owned Norwood Hospital, which remains closed due to flooding, was not included in these agreements. Governor Healey indicated that the future of Norwood Hospital will be addressed separately in the future.
Ray Schrock, Steward Health Care’s lawyer, expressed optimism about signing purchase agreements for at least five of the six for-sale hospital campuses in Massachusetts. He highlighted progress made with potential buyers and mediators, indicating a hopeful outcome in the near future. However, challenges remain with the outstanding issue related to the sixth hospital and negotiations between the mortgage lender and the state government.
Governor Healey called out the mortgage lender, Apollo Global Management, urging them to finalize the deal to save the six hospital campuses. She emphasized the importance of all parties coming to an agreement to ensure the continued operation of these essential healthcare facilities in Massachusetts.
In conclusion, the recent developments regarding Steward Health Care hospitals in Massachusetts reflect a complex and challenging situation that requires collaboration and decisive action to safeguard the well-being of patients, staff, and communities. Governor Healey’s administration is working diligently to navigate through these issues and secure the future of healthcare services in the state.
