Emergency Operations Plan Activated for Troubled Steward Health System in Massachusetts

In response to the financial difficulties faced by the Steward health system, which operates nine hospitals in Massachusetts, the state has activated an emergency operations plan. The health system is currently facing significant debt, prompting the Department of Public Health to place monitors in the hospitals since January. To address these issues, the emergency operations plan includes an incident command center that aims to improve communication among state officials, healthcare providers, and investors.

Governor Maura Healey’s administration 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. The nine hospitals owned by Steward in Massachusetts 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. Despite the financial challenges, all the hospitals remain open and operational.