Carney Hospital closure hearing postponed
Next court appearance has been scheduled for Friday
The ongoing saga of Steward Health Care’s bankruptcy proceedings has taken another turn, with a recent court filing postponing key sales hearings for several of the company’s hospitals. Originally scheduled for Tuesday, the hearing concerning the sale of up to five Massachusetts hospitals has now been pushed to Friday, August 16, raising concerns about the future of these healthcare facilities.
Steward Health Care, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May, has been in the process of selling off its hospital assets in a bid to satisfy its creditors. The company has received binding bids for several hospitals in Massachusetts, including Saint Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Saint Anne’s Hospital, Good Samaritan Medical Center, and both Holy Family Hospital campuses.
The financial troubles of Steward Health Care have put Carney Hospital at risk of closure. Despite its importance to the community, Carney was one of the two Massachusetts hospitals, alongside Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, that did not receive a “qualified” bid during Steward’s sale process. As a result, the company announced plans to close both hospitals by the end of August 2024.
The delay in the Massachusetts sales hearing also impacts similar proceedings in other states. Steward’s filing postponed the sales hearings for hospitals in Arizona and Florida to September 10 and pushed the hearings for hospitals in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas to a yet-to-be-determined date. These delays have cast doubt on the completion of sales within the previously agreed timelines, which could affect the financial lifelines keeping these hospitals operational
This potential closure has sparked significant concern among local leaders, healthcare advocates and residents. The Massachusetts Nursing Association and other community organizations have raised alarms about the impact of losing Carney Hospital. They argue that the closure would lead to longer wait times at other hospitals, reduced access to care for vulnerable populations and potential public health crises.
In response to the announced closure, the Boston City Council voted unanimously to declare a state of emergency to prevent Carney Hospital from shutting down. This resolution reflects the widespread anxiety about the loss of such a crucial healthcare facility in Dorchester. However, the city’s ability to influence the final outcome remains limited by the federal bankruptcy proceedings governing Steward’s restructuring.
Governor Maura Healey has also expressed her concern over the potential closure. She has been vocal about the need to protect jobs and healthcare services in the face of Steward’s bankruptcy. Healey has even called for federal investigations into the actions of Steward’s CEO, Dr. Ralph de la Torre, accusing him of mismanaging the company’s resources to the detriment of both workers and patients.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has scheduled a series of public hearings to address the proposed closure of Carney Hospital. These hearings are intended to gather public input and consider the broader impact on the community.
