Healey-Driscoll Administration announces steps to protect patients, workers, and access to care as Steward Health Care enters bankruptcy
Steward hospitals and outpatient facilities in Massachusetts are operating as usual
Patient hotline now live at 617-468-2189
Online resources available at mass.gov/StewardResources
BOSTON – Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration shared
efforts to preserve access to care and services following Steward Health Care
filing for Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The administration
has launched a call center and website for patients as part of the next step in
its Incident Command structure. As of today, the facilities are operating as
usual.
Massachusetts will
actively participate in Steward’s bankruptcy proceedings to advocate for local
interests and uphold state law and regulatory requirements as Steward seeks to
transition ownership of its Massachusetts-based facilities.
“It is essential that
the people of Massachusetts know that Steward hospitals and outpatient
facilities are open and operating as usual. No one should hesitate to seek
care,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration has been planning for
this scenario for months, and we have the right people, resources and
structures in place to respond. Every step of the way, we are committed to
protecting patients, workers and access to care. Steward’s financial challenges
are the result of greed, mismanagement, and a lack of transparency. This
bankruptcy filing is an important step toward Steward’s orderly exit out of
Massachusetts.”
“For months, as
Massachusetts residents have waited for definitive actions from Steward, we
have been preparing for the possibility of this outcome,” said Secretary of
Health and Human Services Kate Walsh. “We have been working with partners
across health care in each region to make sure we are addressing the needs of
each community. We will continue to use every tool in our toolbox to support
patients and staff during this transition.”
“The public is
rightly frustrated right now, and I share their concerns. My office is working
to get answers and we intend to seek accountability for any laws that may have
been violated,” said Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. “We expect the
bankruptcy process to bring about transparency and stability, as well as
greater legal oversight over Steward’s operations than before. We’ll continue
to work within that process to protect patients and employees who are showing
up on the frontlines each day.”
Since the beginning
of this situation, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has been working with
internal and external advisors and across government to ensure the continued
stability of the state’s health care system and protect patients’ access to
care as Steward seeks to address its financial challenges. Last week, the
Department of Public Health (DPH) implemented its emergency operations protocol
and incident command structure as a means of coordinating decision-making and
response to the Steward situation in a thoughtful, collaborative, and timely
way.
Steward facilities
are open and treating patients as usual. DPH will maintain its monitors in all
Steward facilities. DPH has implemented an emergency operations and incident
command structure to help guide the state’s response during the Steward bankruptcy
process and ensure bidirectional communication with everyone involved. This
structure will help continue DPH’s mission of protecting patients in health
care facilities and supporting the health care workforce so they have the tools
they need to provide care to the people of Massachusetts.
“Individuals and
communities across Massachusetts must have access to quality health care,” said
Robert Goldstein, MD, PhD, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of
Public Health. “People count on and trust their health care providers to be
there when in need. Any suggestion of a possible disruption in care
understandably causes concern. DPH will continue to work closely with health
care leaders and communities across the state, and we are united in our
commitment to protecting access to quality care that our residents deserve and
need.”
For more information
about Steward Health Care’s Chapter 11 case, visit the administration’s
dedicated website at mass.gov/StewardResources or call the patient hotline at
617-468-2189 (local) or 833-305-2070 (toll-free).
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