Former Massachusetts Steward hospitals begin operations under new ownership

BOSTON – Today represents a new chapter for health care in Massachusetts as five of Steward Health Care’s hospitals transition to new operators. 

Lawrence General Hospital is the new operator for both campuses of Holy Family in Haverhill and Methuen, Lifespan is the new operator of Morton and Saint Anne’s, and BMC is the new operator for Good Samaritan and St. Elizabeth’s. With these transitions, according to Governor Healey’s Office, access to care will be protected for hundreds of thousands of patients and more than 13,000 jobs will be saved.  

“Today, these hospitals are freed from Steward’s greed and mismanagement, and start fresh with established, reputable and local operators,” said Governor Maura Healey. “They are ready to not only keep these hospitals going, but to enhance the care they provide and strengthen the communities that depend on them. We started this process under the threat of losing seven hospitals, but thanks to the dedicated leadership of Secretary Kate Walsh, Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, our partners in the Legislature and labor, we’ve saved access to health care for hundreds of thousands of patients and saved 13,000 jobs. Now, we will continue to work with our partners to improve care and access at these hospitals and support the communities who have been impacted by the closures of Nashoba Valley Medical Center and Carney hospital.” 

“The true heroes of this process are the health care workers who came to work each and every day through so much uncertainty and continued to provide world-class care to patients across Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We owe them an immense debt of gratitude, and we are working hard to connect any staff impacted by a closure with new job opportunities. We are so grateful for the strong partnership of our labor unions and look forward to working hand-in-hand with them to make our health care system even better than before.” 

“We set out to first and foremost protect the patients who sought care in Steward hospitals, and we now have the right providers in the right place to effectively care for patients,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh. “These facilities are essential to providing access to affordable safety-net services in their regions. Also, thanks to the strong partnership with the MNA and SEIU we were able to protect a great many jobs. 

“Throughout this challenging past year, our goal remained constant – to protect uninterrupted, safe, and quality care for patients. The dedicated health care workers who unfailingly put the care of their patients first throughout this difficult time are the true heroes,” said DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “Today marks a new and brighter chapter, as five hospitals transition to high-quality, reliable operators that will provide the stability and strength residents of our Commonwealth need and deserve.”  

Last week, Governor Healey formally seized St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton through eminent domain to keep the hospital open. This action allows the state to take control of the property and transition operation of the hospital to a new medical services provider, Boston Medical Center.  

The Healey-Driscoll Administration also recently launched working groups focused on stabilizing and revitalizing health care in communities impacted by Steward Health Care’s closure of Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer and Carney Hospital in Dorchester. The administration has also made $2 million available for communities impacted by Nashoba Valley’s closure to support emergency medical vehicles and equipment. 

“We applaud the work of the Healey administration, and all parties who made this sale and transition possible for their efforts,” said MNA Executive Director Julie Pinkham, RN. “This is a long-awaited and positive development for the dedicated workforce at these facilities and the communities they serve. We are committed to continuing to work with the Commonwealth and all stakeholders as we now begin the hard work of restoring stability to our health care system and to ensure the communities and patients who depend on these facilities have access to the care they expect and deserve.”  

“In the face of uncertainty and chaos, the healthcare workers of 1199SEIU and their colleagues have been the only constant for their patients during this transition. Caregivers pushed aside their own fears and stuck around because of their commitment to serving their patients and their communities. They’ve provided the continuity of care these patients deserve. As we fully turn the page on Steward Health Care, now is our opportunity to incorporate lessons learned from this crisis,” said 1199SEIU executive vice president Tim Foley. “We look forward to working collaboratively with the Healey-Driscoll administration, the legislature, hospital leaders, and other stakeholders to advance much needed reforms and preserve healthcare services across the state. This is how we protect the future of care in Massachusetts.” 

“This week we celebrate the start of a new health care system for the Merrimack Valley, one that is committed to quality and equity; one that serves as a safety net for our most vulnerable patients and communities we serve,” said Abha Agrawal, MD, President and CEO of Lawrence General Hospital. “We would not be here without the dedicated partnership and commitment of the Healey-Driscoll Administration.” 

“Good Samaritan Medical Center and St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center are invaluable resources to their communities and within the broader healthcare delivery system in Massachusetts,” said Alastair Bell, MD, President & CEO of Boston Medical Center Health System. “We are grateful for the Healey administration’s leadership in securing high-quality healthcare that will serve communities long into the future. While there is much work ahead, today is a major step toward a brighter future for both organizations and our health system. Together, with the highly skilled clinicians and staff at each hospital, we will work to ensure stability and as seamless a transition as possible for patients.” 

“First and foremost, the compassionate clinicians and teams at Saint Anne’s and Morton deserve our deepest gratitude for the care they continue to provide across Southeastern Massachusetts. Their commitment to the communities we will all serve is truly heroic,” said John Fernandez, President and CEO of Lifespan. “Together, we share a vision and will create a thriving healthcare system that benefits patients in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, reinvests back into its hospitals and its people, and serves as an economic driver for the cities and towns we care for. We look forward to our continued work with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as we integrate these hospitals and practices into our system.”