In a move to keep vital health services running for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey has taken bold action to acquire St. Elizabeth's Medical Center through eminent domain, ensuring the facility's doors stay open to the public. This decision was reached following a stalemate where Apollo, an asset management firm, rejected the bid from Boston Medical Center (BMC) to take over the real estate, as reported by Mass.gov.
"While Apollo continues to put its greed ahead of the health and wellbeing of the people of Massachusetts, we are taking action to make sure St. Elizabeth’s remains open. By transferring operations to Boston Medical Center, we will protect access to care for tens of thousands of patients and save thousands of jobs," Governor Healey said, her mind set on salvaging healthcare accessibility for the state's residents, according to the Mass.gov announcement. The transfer of operations to BMC is part of a larger scheme to rescue a total of five hospitals under the Steward umbrella, with new operators stepping in to take over.
The continuation of St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center is crucial for traditionally underserved communities, providing ongoing access to emergency services, maternity care, behavioral health services, and inpatient care. With the state facing tight inpatient capacity, the closure of St. Elizabeth's, which currently serves over 60 inpatients. Governor Healey's intervention is seen as an important response to this potential disruption.
As part of the state's efforts to secure healthcare stability, Governor Healey's administration has made strides earlier this week, announcing working groups aimed at revitalizing health care in communities hit hardest by Steward Health Care’s closures. These groups focus specifically on the regions affected by the shutdown of Nashoba Valley Medical Center and Carney Hospital, nurturing a path to recovery and strengthening community health frameworks.
