‘We’re not going to give up’: State, local officials continue criticism of Steward after company announces plan to close hospitals
One day after officials gathered outside Carney Hospital in Dorchester, state and local leaders were in Ayer Tuesday to protest Steward Health Care’s planned closure of both Carney and Nashoba Valley Medical Center. With the clock ticking on both facilities, State Sen. Jamie Eldridge called on Gov. Maura Healey to take additional action and said supporters of the hospital will continue to rally to save it. “We’re not going to give up,” he said. “…We’re going to keep fighting not only to prevent the closure of Nashoba Valley Medical Center, but also to maintain the quality of health care in this region.” Steward, which operates eight hospitals in Massachusetts, announced plans last week to close Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer after it said it could not find buyers for either facility. Steward said it was in active talks to sell its six remaining hospitals as part of ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. Eldridge represents Ayer and some surrounding communities