BOSTON – Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced that Steward Healthcare's economic crisis is an “urgent priority” for the state.
Mr Healy spoke to the Public Health Council on Wednesday morning about Steward's viability as it remains millions of dollars in debt. The company owns nine hospitals in Massachusetts.
The governor said his focus is on the health and safety of Steward's patients, the impact on the communities in which the hospital is located, and the impact the closure will have on other hospitals in Massachusetts.
“I know this is a deeply concerning situation for all of us, especially you as public health leaders. This is an urgent priority, both for me and for the entire government. We want you to know that this has always been the case,” Healy said. He said.
“I am dissatisfied with the current situation as a state and the conduct of our stewards.”
Earlier this month, Steward Healthcare Executive Vice President Dr. Michael Cullum said: Said The company has secured the funding needed to keep hospitals in Massachusetts open.
“The bottom line is, at this point, we don't know what the future holds for Steward Hospital,” Surgeon General Robert Goldstein told the council Wednesday.
“Steward Hospital and the care it provides will likely require some restructuring, reconfiguration, transition, and possible closure.”
Goldstein said DPH is working on four of Steward's hospitals: St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Brighton, Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill and Holy Family Hospital in Methuen. He said he has been sending monitors to the hospital “every day for the past few weeks.”
Goldstein said this week he expanded his surveillance to include Kearney Hospital in Dorchester and Morton Hospital in Taunton.
“We expect it to be in all Steward hospitals by next week,” he told the panel.
Goldstein said monitors examine staffing, services, supplies and equipment to “assess whether hospitals have what they need and are required to provide safe and quality health care.” “
He told Congress that the state has been consulting with steward leaders for months, but the company has not yet addressed its “financial challenges.”
Massachusetts Congressman Stephen Lynch said last month that Steward: planning to sell The four hospitals are Holy Family in Methuen, Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, Norwood Hospital, and St. Elizabeth Medical Center.
Steward has not yet commented on Wednesday's statement from the governor or Goldstein.
