Massachusetts administration takes control of hospital to keep it open

BOSTON, Massachusetts: Governor Maura Healey announced that her administration has taken formal control of St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Boston through eminent domain to ensure it remains open and transitions to a new owner.

The hospital, previously part of a group operated by Texas-based Steward Health Care, faced closure following Steward's bankruptcy filing in May. Operations will now be transferred to Boston Medical Center, with Healey emphasizing the importance of maintaining access to care for tens of thousands of patients and preserving thousands of jobs.

Last month, the state secured new operators for five of Steward's seven hospitals in Massachusetts. Lawrence General Hospital will oversee the Holy Family campuses in Haverhill and Methuen, Lifespan will take on Morton and Saint Anne's, and BMC will manage Good Samaritan. These changes are expected to take effect on October 1.

Two other hospitals, Carney Hospital in Boston and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer have closed after receiving insufficient bids. A federal bankruptcy court recently approved the sale of Steward's remaining Massachusetts hospitals.