Governor Healey’s Admin Close Monitoring of Steward Health System Amid Millions in Debt: Emergency Operations Plan Implemented for Better Coordination and Collaboration

Governor Maura Healey’s administration has been closely monitoring 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 to these challenges, Massachusetts has begun to implement an emergency operations plan aimed at improving communication between the state, healthcare providers, and investors to ensure that patients receive quality care during any transitions that may occur in the future.

The incident command center at the heart of this emergency plan is designed to facilitate better coordination and collaboration between all stakeholders involved in providing healthcare services. This will help to ensure that patients receive consistent care throughout any changes or disruptions that may occur in the future. 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, including locations in Taunton, Brighton, Brockton, Haverhill, Methuen, Dorchester, Fall River, Ayer, and Norwood. The administration remains committed to working with Steward to find a resolution that ensures patient safety and access to care while also addressing the system’s financial challenges.