BOSTON – Boston City Councilors Ed Flynn and John FitzGerald will call for the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) to declare a Public Health Emergency relative to the closing of Carney Hospital at this Wednesday’s Council Meeting. The loss of Carney Hospital would pose significant risk to the health and well-being of the communities served by these facilities, particularly a significant population from communities of color and economically disadvantaged residents who would be disproportionately impacted by service closures.
The closing of Carney Hospital comes as Steward Health Care, one of the nation’s largest private for-profit healthcare networks, filed for bankruptcy in May. On July 26th, Steward revealed in its bankruptcy court filings that it plans to close Carney Hospital in Dorchester and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer by August 31st, citing a lack of qualified bids for the two hospitals. The closure date of August 31st is three months earlier than the state-required 120 day notice for closing hospitals, leaving patients and hospital staff with little time to prepare and transfer their care.
The shutting of Carney is also expected to impact 753 jobs and delay access to care for all communities in the Greater Boston area, as overcrowded facilities will be forced to absorb this population of patients.
“The closure of Carney Hospital and other Steward Health facilities endangers the lives of everyone across our region,” said Councilor FitzGerald. “At a time when we were already worrying about emergency response times, Steward’s brazen greed guaranteed that everyone’s next trip to the emergency room will be even longer. In order to save lives and protect the dedicated hospital workers, I am calling upon BPHC to declare a public health emergency for the closure of Carney Hospital.”
“The unconscionable actions of Steward Health Care put greed over the public health of the people of Boston. Closing Carney Hospital will have a devastating impact on healthcare access for the Greater Boston area, and our most vulnerable,” said Councilor Flynn. “I’m calling for the Boston Public Health Commission to take appropriate actions, and provide the necessary resources to support existing patients and hardworking staff. If the closure of a hospital in Boston is not a Public Health Emergency, I’m not sure what is.”
For more information, please contact Councilor Fitzgerald’s office at 617-635-3455 and [email protected], and Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 and [email protected]
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
Shame, shame , shame on Stewart, I only hope that if and when they close that it doesn’t become homes for migrates because I will be out there protesting everyday. Thank you Ed Flynn and John Fitzgerald for fighting for us.
Read Andrew Carney’s WILL! It states that if ever the hospital is going to be sold it was to be given GRATIS to the City of Boston for Free Care. Cardinal O’Malley ignored this request due to his need for $$ to settle Court Cases regarding the Criminal Priests. He sold all the Catholic Hospitals to Steward. DISGRACE! Thank God’s he is GONE!
What a sad state of affairs when in death wishes are not honored. Absolute DISGRACE! All about the almighty dollar.