Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
Updated 8/2/2024 at 12:39 p.m.
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Steward Health Care must keep its medical centers open for 120 days before they close them down, Governor Maura Healey said Thursday.
Steward Health Care operates Carney Hospital in Dorchester and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, which Steward plans to close permanently by August 31.
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Governor Healey said a state regulation requires Steward to give a 120-day notice to ensure a "smooth transition" for the community.
Healey reportedly added that the current situation is "ridiculous."
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu sent a letter to the owners of Carney Hospital property in Dorchester, in which she vehemently opposed any potential future effort by owners to rezone the property for uses other than health care.
"I would like to be absolutely clear that my administration will oppose any effort by ownership to rezone the property for uses other than the provision of healthcare. Further, we will closely monitor proposals for the property to ensure compliance with all applicable processes - and to guarantee that the community's voice is represented with respect to the future of Carney Hospital," Wu said in her letter.
While Healey’s administration cannot prevent Steward from closing the hospitals, Governor Healey has said that they are working to secure a deal that would ensure a transition of ownership.
Meanwhile, nurses, health care workers, and members of the public are continuing to protest outside the State House to demand that Healey’s administration work to find a new buyer for both health care facilities.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.
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