Photo: WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (State House News Service) — The Healey administration has committed $417 million to help new operators keep five of six Steward Health Care hospitals open as they take over ownership, including $44 million from the state's General Fund, the News Service learned Thursday.
The three-year outlay is in addition to the $72 million the state provided to keep the hospitals open through August and now September, bringing the total state financial aid commitment to $489 million, state officials told the News Service.
The Executive Office of Health and Human Services said Thursday morning that the package will support the Holy Family Hospital facilities in Haverhill and Methuen (being bought by Lawrence General Hospital), Saint Anne’s Hospital in Fall River and Morton Hospital in Taunton (being bought by Lifespan) and Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton (being bought by Boston Medical Center.
BMC is also buying the operations of St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Brighton and the state plans to seize that property by eminent domain. HHS said information on financial aid for St. Elizabeth's will be made available at a later time.
The $417 million over three years consists of $332 million in supplemental payments and $85 million in advances against expected future claims. HHS said the $332 million will come from hospital assessments ($105 million), anticipated federal reimbursements ($183 million), and the General Fund ($44 million).
Written by Colin A. Young/SHNS
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App | TikTok