State leaders say Steward Healthcare is tens of millions of dollars behind on service fees, including at least $50 million in rent, for hospitals and medical facilities across Massachusetts. is sounding the alarm for the rest of the state’s health care sector. sector.
Dallas-based Steward allegedly paid some of the rent and supplies to avoid service termination, according to reports from former employees and landlords.National leaders in both government and health care I’ve been publicly worried. Disruption in Steward’s care homes will have ripple effects throughout the system, including a massive worsening care backlog.
Steward is one of the nation’s largest for-profit care providers, operating more than 30 hospitals and 107 “priority skilled nursing facilities” in its network across the country. A Massachusetts hospital is at the center of the current controversy.
Massachusetts is already facing worsening health care delays, with hundreds of patients stuck in hospitals and unable to be discharged to nursing homes. According to , these delays are a serious problem for both hospitals and post-acute care providers. Detailed report for November From the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association.
Barbara Spivak, president of the Massachusetts Medical Association, said the medical shortage starts in the emergency room and continues across the medical field.
“I think any hospital that closes today is going to exacerbate the access crisis that already exists,” Spivak told CBS News on Friday. “Hospitals have bed capacity issues, and part of that is the difficulty in discharging patients appropriately. We don’t have enough SNF beds or nursing home beds. ”
chorus of concerns
a report Information from Steward’s landlord, Medical Properties Trust, suggests the provider may be considering a strategic sale of its Massachusetts facilities.steward denied Those plans were far-reaching, but in December the company announced plans to close one local hospital by spring 2024, citing operating losses of more than $20 million.
steward did not respond mac knights Requested for comment Friday.
giant provider Financial troubles were reported. It’s drawing attention from policymakers in the governor’s office and the U.S. Senate.
Signed by all U.S. Senators and Massachusetts House of Representatives joint letter They asked Steward CEO Ralph de la Torre to explain Steward’s plans, arguing that closing the facilities would severely limit care across the state. According to the joint letter, Steward employs more than 16,000 long-term care workers in Massachusetts.
