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Steward Health Care CEO Ralph de la Torre was on vacation at the Olympics when his company revealed that it planned to close two hospitals in Massachusetts, but he didn't have a hand in the decision or any say in the timing of the announcement, a spokesperson for the embattled executive said Thursday.
TOWN OF FRANKLIN
Mon. Aug. 12
6:00pm
Tues. Aug 13
7:00pm
Land Use & Zoning Subcommittee Meeting
7:00pm
Franklin School Committee Meeting
7:00pm
Weds. Aug 14
Charles River Pollution Control District Meeting
3:00pm
Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting
5:00pm
7:00pm
Thurs. Aug 15
Senior Coffee Hour w/ State & Local Officials
8:30am
Town Council Office Hours at the Sr. Center
8:30am
7:30pm
STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND
The coming shakeup in the health care market could be solidified Tuesday in a Texas courtroom where a sales hearing is planned for Steward Health Care hospitals in Massachusetts. There's an expectation that local interests are poised to become owners of as many as five hospitals in six locations, and continuing trepidation among supporters of hospitals in Dorchester and Ayer that have controversially been marked for closure. Tuesday's potentially critical bankruptcy court hearing is scheduled to unfold before the state Department of Public Health holds public hearings in Dorchester and Devens on the planned closures of Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center. Gov. Maura Healey has repeatedly asserted that the hospital crisis was caused by Steward's "greed and mismanagement," and Sen. Jamie Eldridge of Marlborough told the News Service this week that the rejoinder he hears from people in his district is, "We agree, but what is state government doing to keep these hospitals open?" Eldridge wrote the governor's team pleading with them to take "actions that need to happen with great urgency" to save Carney and Nashoba Valley. The senator says he's had conversations this week with health care executives, labor union health care experts, and municipal officials in his district and "there is a growing sentiment of frustration, astonishment and anger that the two community hospitals are just being written off by the administration." Reputable local health care stakeholders are interested in the two hospitals, he said, but have been unable to initiate conversations with the administration about funding assistance, "which I think is not only a public health disaster but a political disaster for all elected officials." Steward has said it received no viable bids to purchase Carney or Nashoba, and a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge last week approved the closures without objection from the state. Healey has also said there is nothing she can do to prevent the two hospitals from closing, but Eldridge disagrees and asserts that the state is "intricately involved" in the machinations that have brought the Steward case to this point. A Steward lawyer this week told the court that the state's $30 million funding agreement to help keep Steward hospitals afloat would "allow the parties to continue to advance negotiations and sign purchase agreements in the coming days, all with the goal of being back in front of your honor next week seeking approval of such sales." Judge Christopher Lopez has approved the Carney and Nashoba Valley closures and his Tuesday hearing applies to the sales of Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, Morton Hospital in Taunton, St. Anne's Hospital in Fall River, St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Brighton, and Holy Family Hospital with campuses in Methuen and Haverhill. Also Tuesday, Signature Healthcare's Brockton Hospital is scheduled to reopen. Since the hospital closed due to a fire in February 2023, improvements were factored into the rebuild, including a new outpatient surgical facility, a new main lobby, and an updated emergency department.
Spending Decisions During Election Season
The Legislature likely faces a series of major decisions to make during informal sessions before and after the Nov. 3 general election. The annual spending bill closing out the books on the previous fiscal year is a traditional agenda item in the fall, and the Healey administration said Friday it plans to file one around Labor Day. House and Senate Democrats also have a pair of approved fiscal 2024 supplemental budgets that they couldn't agree on prior to the end of formal sessions. On top of those two matters, lawmakers will need to agree at some point on how to allocate surplus fiscal 2024 income surtax revenues that can't be used for general budget-balancing purposes and must be steered to education and transportation accounts.
Legislative Breakthroughs, Or More Vacation
House and Senate members largely vacated the State House after their underwhelming finish to formal sessions on Aug. 1, saying they'd continue working on the bills they couldn't agree upon. Since then, there have been no breakthroughs. Apart from a claim that a maternal health care negotiating panel led by Rep. Marjorie Decker and Sen. Cynthia Friedman is close to an agreement, there's little evidence of progress on major bills or even the presence of legislators at the State House. Most House and Senate members have no opponents to worry about in the Sept. 3 primary elections and August is traditionally a big month for vacations, which may be taking precedence over the unfinished formal session business.
Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024
CAMPAIGN 2024: Jon Keller talks with local market research expert Diane Hessan about her ongoing survey of likely voters and their thoughts on the presidential race and reaction to recent events. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
KERRIGAN ON 5: State Democratic Party Chair Steve Kerrigan is the guest on "On The Record" with Sharman Sacchetti and Ed Harding. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
SALES TAX HOLIDAY: Massachusetts shoppers do not have to pay the 6.25 percent sales tax on individual items costing $2,500 or less. Meals, tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, motor vehicles, motorboats and utility payments are still subject to taxes. For items of clothing over $175, the amount over $175 is subject to tax. (Saturday, Aug. 10 and Sunday, Aug. 11)
Monday, Aug. 12, 2024
CONVENTION CENTER: Executive Committee of Massachusetts Convention Center Authority meets virtually. Agenda includes an executive director search update and an executive session to "consider or interview applicants for employment or appointment by a preliminary screening committee if the chair declares that an open meeting will have a detrimental effect in obtaining qualified applicants." (Monday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Access)
DPU TECHNICAL CONFERENCE: Department of Public Utilities holds a technical conference about implementing the net metering Single Parcel Rule. Under the rule, state officials say a net metering facility is the "energy generating equipment associated with a single parcel of land, interconnected with the electric distribution system at a single point, behind a single meter." As officials look to clarify the DPU proposal and discuss stakeholder comments, DPU says it "looks forward to a meaningful, collaborative discussion that efficiently advances our investigation." The conference is scheduled to run through 5 p.m. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., One South Station, Third floor, Boston | Register)
CCC DIRECTOR CANDIDATES: Cannabis Control Commission's Executive Director Search Subcommittee meets to go into executive session to conduct virtual screenings with prospective candidates for the agency's executive director job. (Monday, 10 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
GUV ON THE RADIO: Gov. Healey sits for a live interview on WBUR's "Radio Boston" program. (Monday, 11 a.m., WBUR 90.9 FM)
HOUSE: House holds an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., Room A-1 | Livestream)
SENATE: Senate meets without a calendar. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)
PARENTAGE BILL-SIGNING: Gov. Healey ceremonially signs so-called parentage equality bill (H 4970), which she officially approved Aug. 8. Lt. Gov. Driscoll and others participate. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., Grand Staircase)
DCR STEWARDSHIP: Stakeholders Committee of the DCR Stewardship Council holds a virtual listening session for DCR "stakeholder friends and partners." People are asked to comment about the greatest improvement they've seen at DCR, as well as the biggest operational need they see. (Monday, 6:30 p.m. | Register)
PROGRESSIVE MASS. UPDATE: Progressive Massachusetts holds a virtual end-of-session update to recap legislative wins and bills that did not make it through the Legislature when formal sessions ended. Members will talk about victories that should be celebrated, which "legislative failures need to be called out," and next steps. (Monday, 7 p.m. | Register)
Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024
UNIVERSAL FREE COLLEGE CONVENTION: Senate President Spilka speaks about the journey to statewide community college access in Massachusetts as part of College Promise's National Convening. The organization's meeting in Boston, which runs from Tuesday through Thursday, will also feature remarks from Veterans' Services Secretary Santiago, Bunker Hill Community College President Pam Eddinger, and Berkshire Community College President Ellen Kennedy. Lt. Gov. Driscoll is set to give the keynote on Wednesday. "Imagine if college were as universal, free, and accessible as high school," College Promise writes on its website. The nonprofit's mission calls for building "broad public support for funding the first two or more years of postsecondary education for hard-working students." (Tuesday, 9 a.m., One Financial Center, Boston | Registration)
RE-ENTRY WORKFORCE GRANTS: Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Jones announces Re-entry Workforce Development Demonstration Grant Awards, which help train formerly incarcerated individuals for culinary, construction, manufacturing, hospitality and health care jobs. She will be joined by state and local officials, grant recipients, employers, supervisors and state partners. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., Positive Action Against Chemical Addictions, Inc., 360 Coggeshall St., New Bedford)
OFFSHORE WIND OPPONENT HOLDS HEARING: Congressman Jefferson Van Drew of New Jersey holds an offshore wind hearing. On July 18, Van Drew called for an immediate halt to "reckless projects," saying the Vineyard Wind blade incident "should serve as a wake-up call to anyone still considering offshore wind as a viable option for our shores." (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Brigantine Community School, 301 East Evans Blvd., Brigantine, N.J.)
JONES AT VO-TECH SCHOOL: Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Jones visits the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School. She'll meet with students and instructors in the Career Technical Initiative welding training program. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 1121 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford)
STEWARD SALES HEARING: U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Christopher Lopez holds a sales hearing related to the pending sales of Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, Morton Hospital in Taunton, St. Anne's Hospital in Fall River, St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Brighton, and Holy Family Hospital with campuses in Methuen and Haverhill. By the time the hearing convenes, the identities of the bidders (as well as at least some details of their bids) are expected to become public, likely through court filings. The results of the hearing and the subsequent consummation of the sales could dramatically reshape the health care landscape for eastern Mass. A lawyer for Steward said in court this week that "significant progress has been made in terms of both the commercial terms and the purchase agreements with respect to the sale of the hospital real property and operations to the bidders for the Massachusetts hospitals, each of which are high-quality local operators." Steward announced July 26 that it did not receive any bids that could be approved in bankruptcy court for Carney Hospital in Dorchester or Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, and that the hospitals would close at the end of August, sooner than state rules generally allow. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., More Info)
PCA COUNCIL: Personal Care Attendant Workforce Council meets virtually. (Tuesday, 2 p.m. | Zoom)
DPH CARNEY HEARING: Department of Public Health holds a public hearing on Steward Health Care's plan to close Carney Hospital in Dorchester by Aug. 31. A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge has approved the hospital's closure without objection from the state, though some elected officials and community members continue to demand that the Healey administration work to keep the Carney open. Carney's closure impacts 83 medical/surgical beds, 19 intensive care unit beds, seven pediatric beds, 50 psychiatric beds and all ambulatory care services. "The Hospital operates at a significant loss and serves a limited patient population," Steward said in a closure notice dated Aug. 5. "We have tried to find alternatives for keeping the hospital open but given the mounting losses and the absence of a qualified bidder or actionable alternative, we have made the difficult decision to close the Hospital." Steward said it plans to close the Carney on or around Aug. 31. "This is a challenging and unfortunate situation, and the effect it will have on the Hospital's patients, employees, and the community served is regrettable. SHC’s overwhelming priority is to our patients, their families and our dedicated employees," the closure notice continues. "We are committed to facilitating a smooth transition for those affected, while continuing to provide quality care to our patients." Carney's website says the hospital has served Boston and neighboring communities since 1863. Health care workers from 1199SEIU will hold a rally at 5:30 p.m. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Florian Hall, 55 Hallet St., Boston | More Info)
BROCKTON HOSPITAL REOPENS: Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital is scheduled to reopen Tuesday following a rebuild from a February 2023 fire. The maternity, pediatric and behavioral health units remain closed, but hospital officials are touting a new outpatient surgical facility, a new and improved main lobby, and an "updated" emergency department. "Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital has provided safe, quality healthcare to the community for the past 125 years and plans to continue for another 125 and beyond," the hospital said in its announcement. (Tuesday, 680 Centre St., Brockton)
Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024
PUBLIC HEALTH COUNCIL: Public Health Council meets virtually. Agenda includes updates from DPH Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. The agenda includes an informational presentation on connecting Massachusetts students to behavioral health services. A second informational presentation will focus on health care personnel and COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations in health care facilities, which will also be the subject of a roundtable and Q&A. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
CANNABIS CONTROL: Cannabis Control Commission holds a business meeting. Rep. Dan Donahue, House chair of the Cannabis Policy Committee, announced plans late last month for autumn hearings on the structure of the CCC rather than attempting a late-session push to reshape the controversy-plagued agency. The chairman identified three areas of the CCC's enabling statute that the committee would like to revisit, including two potentially contradictory sections delineating powers of the CCC chair and the agency's executive director, and the definition and use of "commission" throughout the law. "Further, the Committee has identified broader opportunities for reconsideration, including appointment and removal powers, as well as the structural model of the agency itself," Donahue wrote. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Worcester Union Station, 2 Washington Sq., Worcester | Agenda and Remote Access)
WATER SAFETY: Middlesex DA Ryan hosts an Adaptive Water Safety Day in partnership with Swim Angelfish and the Mass. State Police Dive Team to highlight that teaching children with special needs crucial swimming skills can save lives. Ryan's office said the event is "designed for children with autism, anxiety, sensory needs, motor challenges and other special needs who may struggle with impulsivity and attraction to water or fear and avoidance of water." Children with autism are 160 times more likely to drown than neurotypical children, her office said, citing a 2017 study in the American Journal of Public Health. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., State Police Headquarters, 470 Worcester Road, Framingham)
PODIATRY BOARD: Board of Registration in Podiatry meets virtually. Agenda includes discussion and votes on residency limited license programs at Steward's St. Anne's Hospital and Southern New England Surgery Center, and Steward's Morton Hospital. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
JIMMY FUND DONATION: Treasurer Goldberg presents a $108,129.10 check from the Unclaimed Property Division to the annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon. (Wednesday, 1:50 p.m., Fenway Park, Boston)
DPH CARNEY HEARING - VIRTUAL: Department of Public Health holds a virtual hearing on Steward Health Care's plan to close Carney Hospital in Dorchester on or around Aug. 31. DPH says the hearing is not "adjudicatory in nature" but is instead a public forum "for the presentation of any comments which may be relevant to the Department's consideration of the proposed change." Written testimony will be accepted through midnight. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Access)
DRISCOLL TALKS COLLEGE ACCESS: Lt. Gov. Driscoll gives the keynote address at College Promise's National Convening. The nonprofit's mission calls for building "broad public support for funding the first two or more years of postsecondary education for hard-working students." (Wednesday | Registration)
Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024
MED LICENSING BOARD: Licensing Committee of the Board of Registration in Medicine meets virtually. (Thursday, 8 a.m. | More Info and Livestream)
DCR STEWARDSHIP: Conservation Committee of the DCR Stewardship Council meets virtually. Agenda includes a discussion of the state's biodiversity goals. (Thursday, 8 a.m. | Zoom)
PRIM BOARD: Pension Reserve Investment Management Board meets, with Treasurer Goldberg as chair. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m. | Access Info)
HOUSE: House plans to hold an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Room A-1)
SENATE: Senate plans to meet without a calendar. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)
GAMING COMMISSION: Mass. Gaming Commission is expected to hold a regular business meeting. (Thursday | More Info TBA)
DPH NASHOBA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER CLOSURE HEARING: Department of Public Health holds a public hearing on Steward Health Care's plan to shutter Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer by the end of the month. A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge approved the closure plan, despite public outcry as some elected officials and Nashoba workers beg the Healey administration to keep the hospital open. The closure will impact 46 medical/surgical beds, six intensive care unit beds, five pediatric service beds, 20 psychiatric service beds and all ambulatory care services, according to an Aug. 5 closure notice from Steward. "The Hospital operates at a significant loss and serves a limited patient population," the notice states. "We have tried to find alternatives for keeping the hospital open but given the mounting losses and the absence of a qualified bidder or actionable alternative, we have made the difficult decision to close the Hospital." Steward says Nashoba will close on around Aug. 31. The hospital's website says it was founded in 1964. Health care workers from 1199SEIU plan to hold a really at 5:30 p.m. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Devens Common Center, 31 Andrews Parkway, Devens | More Info)
Friday, Aug. 16, 2024
ALLIED MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS: Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions meets virtually. (Friday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
LOW NUMBER PLATE LOTTERY: Deadline to submit an application for the Registry of Motor Vehicles' 2024 Low Number Plate Lottery. RMV said 298 plates are available through this year's lottery, which will be held Sept. 10. Available low number plates include 34, 255, 1912, 2X, 33V, B8 and Z88. (Friday, 5 p.m. | More Info)
