Edward J. Markey

08/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/16/2024 16:23

Senator Markey Statement on Steward Hospital Deal Announcement

Last month, Markey joined colleagues to subpoena Steward CEO Dr. Ralph de la Torre to testify in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on September 12

Boston (August 16, 2024) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Chair of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health, and Retirement Security, today released the following statement on Governor Maura Healey's actions to reach deals on transitioning operations at Saint Anne's Hospital, Good Samaritan Medical Center, Holy Family Hospitals, and Morton Hospital to new operators, and for the state to take control of Saint Elizabeth's through eminent domain.

"Today is a major step forward in getting Steward out of Massachusetts," said Senator Markey. "Subject to these deals being finalized and going through all necessary approval processes, six hospitals in Massachusetts will be sold to new owners. This is no thanks to Steward, Medical Properties Trust, Macquarie, and their private equity enablers who repeatedly decided that their profits were more important than the lives and livelihoods they stole. The credit for this goes to the local leaders, health workers, and elected officials who fought for their communities at every step of this process. Ultimately, everyone but greedy corporate CEO's share the same goal: These hospitals must be sold quickly and remain open.

"But the story does not end here. We will never take away the pain that Steward and their corporate enablers put communities and health providers through - particularly with the closures of Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center. But we can take steps to prevent this from ever happening again. Every corporate investor that played a role in Steward's financial downfall must be held accountable. CEO Dr. Ralph de la Torre must appear before the United States Senate, and we must pass my Health Over Wealth Act to guarantee permanent guardrails for corporate greed."

Senator Markey has consistently advocated for transparency and accountability for private equity in health care amidst the Steward Hospital crisis. On July 25, Senator Markey and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) introduced the Health Over Wealth Act, legislation that would put safeguards in place to protect workers, patients, and health care quality, access, and safety; create stronger accountability measures for corporate greed; and close tax loopholes that benefit real estate investment trusts making money off of health care property.

At a Boston field hearing he chaired in April, Senator Markey released his new legislative agenda calling for transparency and accountability for private equity in health care; protecting patients, providers, and workers; and guaranteeing health care for all.

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