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Above, Norwood Hospital as it looked a century ago, in 1926.
Norwood Hospital has long played a vital role in providing emergency and inpatient medical care to communities across southern Norfolk County, including residents of Franklin, who for generations relied on the hospital’s emergency department as a nearby, full-service option.
That access abruptly ended in June 2020, when a severe flash flood caused extensive damage to the lower levels of the hospital, forcing its closure. Since then, repeated efforts to repair, reopen, or replace the facility have stalled amid disputes over responsibility, financing, and long-term viability, leaving a significant gap in regional emergency medical services.
Local officials, first responders, and residents have consistently raised concerns about longer ambulance transport times and added strain on surrounding hospitals. While proposals have surfaced over the years, none have yet produced a clear path forward.
On January 12, 2026, Massachusetts state legislators took new action aimed at accelerating a solution, signaling renewed urgency at the State House. Lawmakers said the goal is to break the impasse and restore reliable hospital-based emergency care to Norwood and neighboring communities as quickly as possible.
Representative John Rogers explained, "Senator Mike Rush and I strongly support the ongoing negotiations between Medical Properties Trust and prospective hospital operators to complete construction and reopen Norwood Hospital, and we continue to urge all parties to reach a timely agreement."
However, he added, without significant progress, the people of Norwood and the surrounding region cannot afford further delay. "To ensure a viable path forward, I filed House Bill H.5528 alongside Senator Mike Rush to authorize the Commonwealth to acquire the Norwood Hospital property through eminent domain if negotiations fail, allowing the site to be transferred to a qualified hospital operator," Rogers said.
"Norwood Hospital has long served as a critical anchor for emergency and acute care in the region, and its continued closure has placed significant strain on surrounding hospitals and families seeking timely care. This bill is about protecting the health and safety of the entire region by ensuring access to essential, life-saving care close to home," Rogers added.
