Escalating her administration's response to a potential health crisis, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey on Tuesday recommended that Steward Healthcare transfer Massachusetts hospitals to new management “as soon as possible.” It requested financial information about the for-profit system, which the federal government has long sought. weekend.
Mr. Healy wrote a three-page letter to Steward's CEO Ralph de la Torre about the apparent financial crisis facing the hospital, his office said. , claims that Mr. Healy's team has been “not proactive, not honest, and not responsive.”
The governor asked stewards to provide the state with information about its finances, which all hospitals are required by law to submit to regulators, by the close of business Friday. She will also ensure all Massachusetts facilities are properly staffed and supplied, comply with increased state oversight on the ground, and allow someone else to take over the Bay State's seven hospitals. asked the system.
“After our months of discussions, the time is now to begin implementing a safe and orderly transition of Massachusetts' seven licensed facilities to new operators as soon as possible,” Healy wrote. “This starts with your commitment to fully disclose the financial information we request by the close of business on February 23, 2024. Your continued refusal to disclose, especially at this time, is irresponsible. It is also an insult to patients, workers, and communities.'' It also leads to a further breakdown of trust and poses significant obstacles to our ability to work together to effectively resolve this issue.'' ”
Health officials said they were preparing to close hospitals if the beleaguered Steward Healthcare System continues to experience problems.
The letter does not say what consequences the health care system will face if it does not comply, but Healy said it will be used by Assistant Massachusetts Attorney General Joshua Levy and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy. Campbell's nomination was approved.
The letter goes on to discuss “freezing admissions, closing beds, canceling procedures, and transferring patients to other hospitals” as possible responses if hospitals do not have sufficient staff and supply levels. It's going up.
Read the letter here:
Sen. Elizabeth Warren slams embattled Steward Healthcare, saying management “put profits before patients” and did everything possible to hide critical information about its financial health from state authorities. did.
NBC10 Boston's Asher Klein contributed to this report.
