Response to Steward Health Care Dorchester and Ayer closures: ‘Unfortunate but predictable’

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey is one of several Massachusetts elected officials criticizing Steward Health Care for closing two of its hospitals in the state. (Herald file photo)

Elected health care officials and unions are reacting strongly to Steward Health Care’s closures of Carney Hospital in Dorchester and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, vowing to serve the residents of their communities after the Dallas-based for-profit company announced the news Friday.

This is what some of them had to say:

Dr. Hugh Taylor, President of the Massachusetts Medical Society

“This is an unfortunate but predictable outcome and highlights the reality that arises when profits are put before patients, as was the case here. The Medical Society calls on Steward Health Care to honour its ethical obligation to be transparent, timely and clear to patients, staff and government agencies in communicating its transition plans and its strategies to mitigate the significant disruption this will cause.”

U.S. Senator Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts

“The callousness shown toward the health and well-being of the people of Massachusetts is nothing short of astonishing. Steward Health Care — led by Dr. (Ralph) de la Torre and facilitated by private equity and real estate investment funds — has deliberately bought safety-net hospitals that communities rely on and run them into the ground in their efforts to maximize profits. But Dr. de la Torre and his private equity cronies will not get away with this.”

Steve Walsh, President and CEO of Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association

“Community members and healthcare professionals need to know that MHA and our affiliated hospitals stand with them. Over the past eight months, we have worked with the state daily to prepare for any scenario that arises… While this is a challenging time for our healthcare system, our affiliated hospitals are ready and prepared to meet the needs of every patient.”

Boston City Councilman John FitzGerald, whose district includes most of Dorchester

“Carney Hospital has been a cornerstone of healthcare in Dorchester for generations. Its closure will be devastating to both the patients who depend on its services and the employees who have dedicated their lives to serving our community. Steward Health Care’s inability to find a qualified bidder is a direct result of their mismanagement and greed, as highlighted by Governor Healey.”

Massachusetts Nurses Association

“The nurses and healthcare professionals who have stood firm during this crisis are calling on state and federal governments to ensure the continued operation of these hospitals, because no community is redundant and closure is not a feasible or acceptable option. In the meantime, we call on the state to enforce its law prohibiting hospital closures with less than 120 days’ notice so the state has time to find a way to keep these hospitals available to care for these vulnerable communities.”