Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) recently made a statement in response to Steward Health Care’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. She expressed her concern for the patients and workers who are affected by this situation in Massachusetts and across the country. She criticized the for-profit healthcare system in America, calling it a failure and a public health crisis for communities, especially vulnerable patients who rely on hospitals like Carney Hospital and St. Elizabeth’s in Dorchester. Pressley emphasized the need to keep Steward hospitals open and maintain accessibility to care. She commended the Healey-Driscoll Administration for prioritizing an orderly transfer of ownership to protect patients and providers, and expressed her determination to hold Steward executives accountable for their alleged incompetence.
Back in January 2024, following reports of Steward Health Care System’s financial struggles, Rep. Pressley, along with Sen. Warren and other members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation, requested a briefing from Steward regarding their financial status and the future of their facilities in the state. Then, in February 2024, Pressley joined her colleagues in seeking answers from Cerebrus, a private equity firm, regarding their involvement in the financial challenges faced by Steward hospitals. These challenges have serious implications for access to medical care in eastern Massachusetts, potentially affecting thousands of people.
Pressley’s efforts to address the impact of Steward Health Care’s bankruptcy highlight the importance of ensuring continued access to healthcare services for communities in Massachusetts. The ongoing situation underscores the need for government oversight and accountability in the healthcare industry to protect patients and providers from the consequences of financial instability and mismanagement.