Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren mentioned Monday that Steward Well being Care’s explanations for its monetary issues “do not add up” and “it is clear that Steward executives put income earlier than sufferers.”
Steward has mentioned the monetary losses jeopardize the operations of his 9 hospitals in Massachusetts, which serve tens of hundreds of sufferers and make use of greater than 14,000 individuals. The corporate has mentioned a predominant purpose for its difficulties is decrease reimbursement charges for publicly insured sufferers.
State officers have mentioned they’re in talks with Steward to guard sufferers’ entry to well being care and protect jobs, however Gov. Maura Healey mentioned final week the corporate won’t obtain a bailout from the state. A plan to handle Steward hospitals in Massachusetts could possibly be unveiled this week.
Warren mentioned she organized a briefing with different members of the state’s congressional delegation to “press Steward for solutions.”
“My main concern is the hundreds of sufferers going through threats to their healthcare and the frontline healthcare staff whose jobs are in danger,” Warren mentioned in a press release. “I’ll proceed to analyze the choices that led to this potential public well being disaster.”
In an emailed assertion, Steward mentioned he cares for susceptible sufferers in Massachusetts and is working to proceed care.
“We’re dedicated to working productively with public officers to make sure we will present uninterrupted, high-quality care to the communities we serve,” Steward’s assertion learn.
Final week, Warren and different members of the congressional delegation requested Steward for details about the corporate’s “monetary scenario, the standing of its Massachusetts services, and its plans to make sure the communities they serve will not be deserted.”
Steward Well being Care services in Massachusetts embrace St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River, Good Samaritan Medical Middle in Brockton, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Middle in Brighton, Carney Hospital in Dorchester and Holy Household Hospital in Methuen and Haverhill. The corporate is within the strategy of closing New England Sinai Hospital, a rehabilitation middle in Stoughton.