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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Steward Health Care, the for-profit health care network, wants to "exit the health care industry in Massachusetts," according to Congressman Stephen Lynch.
The Massachusetts congressional delegation met with Steward top brass over concerns that the company's financial difficulties could force some of the Massachusetts hospitals they operate to close.
Lynch said Steward plans to sell four hospitals "urgently" because it reportedly owes $50 million in rent to the landlord, Medical Properties Trust. These hospitals are: St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Brighton, Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, Norwood Hospital (currently under construction after 2020 flooding), and Holy Family Hospital in Methuen and Haverhill.
The remaining health care centers will be sold off or transferred, Lynch said, adding that they are trying to figure out what is best for companies who would want to take over Steward's facilities.
"Is it better to give them money to take over that hospital, or do we try to keep an individual hospital open on its own with increased funding?" Lynch said.
There is no timeline on when this process will begin, but Lynch told WBZ that after injecting tens of millions of dollars into Steward, this comes as a bit of a shock.
"It’s troubling to see that even though we injected that large amount of money into a for-profit hospital network, that we find ourselves in this position with such little notice," said Lynch.
Lynch said lawmakers are working with the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association on next steps, and urged Steward patients to reach out to their doctor to put a plan in place.
WBZ NewsRadio has reached out to Steward Health Care for comment.
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