Steward Health Care’s filing for bankruptcy protection, although hardly unexpected, will understandably cause concern for patients, physicians, health care teams, and staff at its Massachusetts facilities.
While the company says that it does not expect this development to affect its day-to-day operations, patients and the health care workforce deserve assurance that every effort is being made to reduce the potential interruption of care. Any disruption to continuity of care brings a serious risk to patients, especially those from our most vulnerable and underserved communities who depend upon Steward facilities for care, and those with chronic illness. Steward is ethically obligated to be transparent and timely in communication with patients, physicians, and all members of the health care team as this process evolves.
The Massachusetts Medical Society commends the Healey-Driscoll administration for its foresight in recognizing that Steward Health Care was in perilous financial standing and for proactively working to develop contingency plans that center the imperatives of patient safety and access to the highest quality of care. We are appreciative of our state and federal legislators who continue to study and consider the role and risk of private equity-backed health care in the Commonwealth.
The Medical Society will continue to work with stakeholders and to bring forward the voices of physicians and patients as the state navigates the situation and develops strategies for sustainable solutions that center patients, not profit. Health care workers and patients should continue to report any concerns about safety or quality of care to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
-Barbara S. Spivak, MD, President, Massachusetts Medical Society
