The Steward health system, which operates nine hospitals in Massachusetts, is facing significant financial challenges. As a result, the Department of Public Health has placed monitors in the hospitals since January. To address these issues, Governor Maura Healey’s administration has activated an emergency operations plan that includes an incident command center aimed at improving communication among state officials, healthcare providers, and investors.
Healey has been advocating for Steward to exit Massachusetts, and the sale of Steward’s physician network to Optum Care is currently under review by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission. Despite the financial challenges, all nine hospitals owned by Steward in Massachusetts remain open and operational. These include Morton Hospital in Taunton, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton, Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, Holy Family Hospitals in Haverhill and Methuen, Carney Hospital in Dorchester, St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River, Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, and Norwood Hospital. The sale of these facilities could have a significant impact on patient care and healthcare access within the state if not executed carefully.
