BOSTON - Governor Maura Healey has announced a significant intervention in the healthcare landscape of Massachusetts, stating that the state will utilize eminent domain to take control of St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Brighton. This decision comes amid ongoing challenges faced by Steward Health Care, which declared bankruptcy in May and is in the process of selling its U.S. hospitals. Healey emphasized that the private equity firms managing Steward's bankruptcy are not prioritizing the needs of Massachusetts residents, prompting her administration to act decisively

BOSTON - In a decisive move, Governor Maura Healey announced on Friday that Massachusetts will utilize eminent domain to take control of St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Brighton. This action is part of a broader strategy to address the challenges posed by Steward Health Care, with Healey declaring, "We're closing the book on Steward, once and for all, in Massachusetts." The governor revealed that agreements have been reached "in principle" to transfer ownership of four other Steward hospitals to new operators, ensuring their continued operation. Healey criticized the private equity firms overseeing Steward's bankruptcy, asserting they are not prioritizing the needs of Massachusetts residents. "Enough is enough," she stated, emphasizing the necessity of seizing St. Elizabeth's to facilitate its transition to a new owner and maintain its services. Boston Medical Center is set to take over both Good Samaritan and St. Elizabeth's once the eminent domain process concludes. The governor's administration is collaborating with lawmakers to develop a financially sound plan that includes cash advances and capital support for the hospital ownership transfers. Steward's CEO, Ralph de la Torre, has faced scrutiny for prioritizing profits over patient care and has been subpoenaed to testify before the U.S. Senate, with some senators labeling him a symbol of corporate greed. Healey reassured the community that her administration is committed to supporting hospital workers and ensuring a smooth transition for patients to new facilities, stating, "We will continue to work with those communities to bring urgency to safely transitioning care."