Lawmakers in Massachusetts are moving forward with a bill that could potentially place Norwood Hospital under state control through the use of eminent domain. The future of the hospital, which has been in limbo since it was destroyed by flooding in 2020, is a high-stakes issue for local residents who have endured a public health crisis in Norfolk County for almost six years. According to WHDH, the legislation, if passed, would allow the state to find a new operator for the hospital as discussions with potential buyers remain unresolved.
As the previous owner, Steward Health Care, filed for bankruptcy in 2024, the hospital currently lies in hands of a trust fund linked to the defunct company, complicating efforts to resurrect the critical healthcare facility. "if a “favorable outcome” is not found the state should take control of the hospital and find a new operator itself," state lawmakers backing the bill argue, as reported by WHDH. This is not a first for Massachusetts; the state adopted a similar approach when it took over Saint Elizabeth's Hospital in Brighton in 2024 using eminent domain. Yet, the current owner of the Norwood property, Medical Properties Trust, has shown signs of investment by completing a new parking garage, indicating an expectation of a forthcoming sale.
Tony Mazzucco, Norwood's General Manager, expressed his support for the bill to Boston 25, stating, "We are thrilled that Senator Rush and Representative Rogers continue to make sure this issue is forefront in people’s minds, and hopefully it puts a little bit of pressure on the process to move forward." He also highlighted the dire situation, with critical care transport times averaging 39 minutes since the closure of Norwood Hospital.
The proposed bill, filed by State Senator Michael Rush and Representative John Rogers, comes amidst sustained interest from several operators in purchasing the property over the past six months. However, a formalized deal remains elusive. "We're gonna get there one way or another, and knowing what the outcome's gonna be, everyone should just sit around the table and come to the best deal practical for it," Mazzucco told Boston 25 in a hopeful tone.
