Massachusetts Officials Launch Emergency Plan for Steward Health Crisis

loading Massachusetts Officials Launch Emergency Plan for Steward Health Crisis

Massachusetts state officials have taken action in light of Steward Health Care's financial difficulties, which threaten to disrupt health care services across the company's network of hospitals. The Department of Public Health has activated an "Emergency Operations Plan" and established a Clinical Incident Command Center to manage the situation and safeguard health services. The command center, led by Dr. Gregg Meyer, a primary care physician with a background in federal health policy, aims to maintain safe care, protect public health, and preserve jobs during the transition period.

The state's response involves coordinating with various stakeholders, including hospitals, community health centers, labor organizations, and community service organizations. The goal is to ensure that the eight affected community hospitals in Boston and its surrounding areas, which employ nearly 16,000 workers and serve hundreds of thousands of patients, continue to operate smoothly. Despite Steward's significant debt issues, officials have emphasized that the hospitals are still open and providing care. The command system will also oversee the potential sale of Steward's assets to OptumCare and manage any subsequent changes in service delivery.

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