“The Massachusetts Medical Society is deeply concerned regarding Steward Health Care’s decision to close Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center. Our primary focuses remain access to and continuity of safe, quality care for patients, as well as the future of physicians and all members of health care teams employed by Steward.
“These closures will have serious consequences for patients, especially those from historically marginalized communities that rely upon the community-based care they receive at Carney Hospital and those in less-populated areas of the state whose most accessible hospital is Nashoba Valley.
“This is an unfortunate yet predictable outcome and underscores the reality that occurs when profit is valued over patients, as happened here. The Medical Society calls on Steward Health Care to uphold its ethical obligation to be transparent, timely, and clear with patients, staff, and state agencies in communicating transition plans and its strategies to mitigate the fallout from the significant disruption this will cause.
“The Massachusetts Medical Society commends the Healey-Driscoll administration for its leadership during this unprecedented crisis and for keeping the focus on patient safety, access to care, the health care workers, and commitment to supporting the communities who are affected by Steward’s financial mismanagement. We will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure that the voices of patients and physicians are prioritized in the ongoing work to find sustainable solutions that will support an equitable, affordable, and accessible health care system for all in Massachusetts.”
-Hugh Taylor, MD, President, Massachusetts Medical Society
