Concerned that a spate of hospital closures could jeopardize access to health care for vulnerable residents, Massachusetts' congressional delegation is seeking financial clarification from Steward Healthcare System.
Lawmakers also want updates on the status of Steward's facilities and to ensure the company's plans to ensure the communities Steward hospitals serve are not abandoned.
The company, which last month announced plans to close its long-term care and rehabilitation hospital in Stoughton this spring, is facing major financial challenges that could lead to further closures, The Boston Globe reported Friday. Steward operates his nine facilities in Massachusetts, including Dorchester, Brockton, Haverhill, Methuen, Taunton, Brighton and Fall River.
In a letter to Steward CEO Dr. Ralph de la Torre, representatives said Tuesday that the company's safety-net hospitals, which serve large numbers of Medicaid and Medicare patients, will be closed. He warned that doing so would primarily place a burden on “Massachusetts residents who already face the greatest challenges.” Access to healthcare. ”
“The sudden closure of Steward Hospital in Massachusetts would significantly limit access to maternal and child health services in eastern Massachusetts, as well as inpatient critical care and inpatient behavioral health care,” the letter said. “it is written like this. “Since Steward's Good Samaritan Hospital is currently the only acute care hospital in the Greater Brockton region, access to health care for residents in the region may be affected as patients in the region are transferred to other hospitals. “The ability to absorb a sustained surge in cases will be particularly difficult.”
A Steward spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment.
State law requires hospitals to notify the Department of Public Health at least 120 days before discontinuing services. Lawmakers on Beacon Hill have been exploring options to block closures if services are deemed essential or establish a mechanism for state control of hospitals.
The delegation said it “encourages stewardship staff to engage in dialogue with state officials.” “But residents, workers, regulators, and elected officials need a seat at the table to discuss Steward's future plans to ensure continued access to quality health care in our communities.” be.”
A Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson said the Department of Public Health “will continue to closely monitor and work with stewards to protect patients, preserve jobs and maintain quality.”
“The Healy-Driscoll Administration, EOHHS and DPH's top priority is to protect public health and safety,” the spokesperson said. “This means maintaining safe, high-quality care in our state's hospitals and supporting our health care workers. We are always concerned about the potential for disruption to families and communities.”
