BOSTON — Bankrupt Steward Healthcare plans to close two Massachusetts hospitals, Governor Maura said. Mr Healy said the cause was “greed and mismanagement”.
The private, for-profit health system is closing Kearney Hospital in Dorchester and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer because it is undergoing bankruptcy proceedings and did not receive any qualified bids for the medical facilities, the company said in a statement.
“Over the past several months, Steward Health Care has been actively working to sell or transition all of our Massachusetts hospitals and is currently in final negotiations to sell six hospitals. Despite an extensive divestiture process that involved close coordination with lenders and regulators, we did not receive any qualifying bids for two hospitals, Kearney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center, and unfortunately both hospitals will close,” the statement read.
Both hospitals are expected to close around Aug. 31, Steward said.
“This is a difficult and unfortunate situation and we regret the impact this will have on our patients, employees and the communities we serve,” the company added. “We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition for those affected and to continuing to provide high-quality care to the patients we continue to serve.”
The steward says It received bids to operate other Baystate hospitals.These include Morton Hospital in Taunton, Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, Holy Family in Methuen and Haverhill, St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Brighton and St. Ann’s Hospital in Fall River.
Norwood Hospital It has been closed since 2020is not part of the sales process.
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The company’s CEO, Ralph de la Torre, said: Invited to testify before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee During September.
Gov. Maura Healey called De La Torre’s move to close the hospital “disappointing.”
“This is not the end. It is unfortunate that Ralph de la Torre and Steward’s greed and mismanagement have led to the closure of Kearny Hospital and Nashoba Valley Hospital, which have served their communities for a long time,” Healey said in a statement. “The closure of these hospitals is about much more than the loss of beds, doctors and nurses. I want to assure the people of Massachusetts that we have been diligently preparing for this moment and will take every possible step to assist with a smooth transition for affected patients and employees.”
Mr Steward vowed to “work closely” with patients at both hospitals to find alternative treatment options as the closure date approaches.
“We continue to work closely with our patients in Kearney and Nashoba to help them find the best way to care for them, and we will collaborate with our valued employees and medical professionals to assist them through this very difficult transition,” the company said. “In addition, we have notified and are closely coordinating with the appropriate state and federal agencies regarding the closure process.”
Healy also called on Steward to finalize contracts for the remaining hospitals.
“It’s time for Steward and its real estate partners to put the communities they serve above their own selfish desires,” Healy added. “They need to strike a deal that serves their interests, and the interests of their patients and workers.”
A hearing on the sale of Steward’s other hospitals is scheduled for July 31 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
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