Steward Health System’s Financial Struggles Prompt Massachusetts to Implement Emergency Operations Plan

In response to the financial struggles of the Steward health system, Massachusetts has implemented an emergency operations plan. The system, which owns nine hospitals in the state, is currently facing millions of dollars in debt. This has prompted the Department of Public Health to place monitors in the hospitals since January.

The emergency plan includes an incident command center 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. Governor Maura Healey’s administration sees this activation as a necessary step in maintaining stable healthcare markets and ensuring patients have continued access to care.

Healey has been advocating for Steward to exit Massachusetts, and while the system’s physician network has been sold to Optum Care, the sale still awaits review by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission. In the meantime, Steward’s nine hospitals in Massachusetts remain open and operational, including locations in Taunton, Brighton, Brockton, Haverhill, Methuen, Dorchester, Fall River, Ayer and Norwood.