In February 2024, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and other members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation requested a briefing from Steward Health Care System regarding their financial status and the future of their facilities in the state. This came after reports emerged of Steward’s financial struggles, which have serious implications for access to medical care in eastern Massachusetts, potentially affecting thousands of people.
Pressley, along with Sen. Warren and others, also sought answers from Cerebrus, a private equity firm, regarding their involvement in the financial challenges faced by Steward hospitals. The ongoing situation underscores the need for government oversight and accountability in the healthcare industry to protect patients and providers from the consequences of financial instability and mismanagement.
In response to Steward’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2024, Pressley expressed her concern for the patients and workers who are affected by this situation across Massachusetts and the country. She criticized the for-profit healthcare system in America, calling it a failure and a public health crisis for communities, especially vulnerable patients who rely on hospitals like Carney Hospital and St. Elizabeth’s in Dorchester.
Pressley emphasized the need to keep Steward hospitals open and maintain accessibility to care. She commended the Healey-Driscoll Administration for prioritizing an orderly transfer of ownership to protect patients and providers, and expressed her determination to hold Steward executives accountable for their alleged incompetence.
