Massachusetts’ largest hospital system, Mass General Brigham (MGB), is withdrawing its physicians from Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill and Methuen, intensifying concerns over Steward Health Care’s mounting financial problems. This decision by MGB directly impacts patient care at Holy Family Hospital Haverhill and its sister facility.
Reports indicate that Steward Health Care, grappling with significant financial strain, intends to close four of its nine hospitals in Massachusetts. Holy Family Hospital, with campuses in both Haverhill and Methuen, is among the facilities facing potential closure, alongside Nashoba Valley Medical Center, Norwood Hospital, and St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center.
NECN New England news graphic, as NBC Boston directs viewers to their platform for regional news coverage following the NECN.com closure.
According to Representative Stephen Lynch, speaking on behalf of a group of eleven legislators who previously requested transparency from Steward Health Care regarding their finances, the company had initially sought to exit the Massachusetts health care market entirely. “They were seeking to exit Massachusetts health care market for all nine hospitals, but these four were in the urgent category,” Lynch stated, highlighting the severity of the situation for Holy Family Hospital Haverhill and the other at-risk facilities.
Despite receiving approximately $150 million in state support in recent years, Steward Health Care’s financial difficulties have persisted. Rep. Lynch noted, “Notwithstanding that support that we provided, we received no notice that they were $50 million behind in their rent,” raising questions about the management of funds and the communication between Steward and state authorities.
Mass General Brigham’s decision to remove its physicians from Holy Family Hospital Haverhill and Methuen centers stems from concerns about the availability of essential surgical equipment. Tom Sequist, chief medical officer for Mass General Brigham, explained, “After hearing that certain surgical equipment may not be available, we made the decision to reschedule upcoming orthopedic and GI procedures at Holy Family Hospital.” This action directly affects patients scheduled for procedures at Holy Family Hospital Haverhill, as MGB is working to relocate these patients to alternative locations within their network.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey speaking about housing grants at risk for towns not complying with state housing laws, as reported by NBC Boston.
While MGB has stated they lack specific knowledge of broader safety concerns at Holy Family Hospital, their precautionary measure underscores the instability caused by Steward’s financial crisis. The situation at Holy Family Hospital Haverhill and other Steward facilities remains fluid, with lawmakers planning further investigation into the company’s financial practices in the coming weeks. The focus remains on ensuring continued patient access to healthcare amidst these disruptions.
