Governor Maura Healey’s administration has taken a proactive approach to address the financial troubles of the Steward health system, which owns nine hospitals in Massachusetts. The system is currently facing millions of dollars in debt, prompting the Department of Public Health to place monitors in the hospitals since January. In response, the state has implemented an emergency operations plan aimed at improving communication between healthcare providers, investors, and patients during any potential transitions that may occur in the future.
The incident command center at the heart of the emergency plan will serve as a central hub for coordinating efforts and ensuring that patients receive quality care during these times of uncertainty. Governor Healey sees this as a necessary step in maintaining stable healthcare markets and ensuring patients have continued access to care. While Steward’s physician network has been sold to Optum Care, the sale still awaits review by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission. Meanwhile, Steward’s nine hospitals in Massachusetts remain open and operational.
The Department of Public Health has been closely monitoring Steward’s financial situation and has taken steps to ensure patient safety during this time of transition. The placement of monitors in the hospitals since January was done with patient care at the forefront of all decision-making. The emergency plan is just one piece of a larger effort to address Steward’s financial challenges and ensure that patients continue to receive quality care.