Amid Steward Hospitals' crisis in Massachusetts, Maura Healey admin launches 'Emergency Operations Plan'

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The state Department of Public Health has activated its "Emergency Operations Plan" as the Bay State continues to respond to Steward Hospitals' financial crisis.

Steward, the third largest hospital system in Massachusetts, earlier this year admitted to being millions in debt in rent, with unpaid contracts and other expenses.

Then in March, news broke that Steward was planning to sell Stewardship Health Inc. and the contracting Steward Health Care Network to OptumCare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group. Meanwhile, Steward facilities in Massachusetts are currently open and providing care.

Amid the uncertain situation with Steward, Gov. Maura Healey's administration on Friday announced that DPH has activated its "Emergency Operations Plan" — including a regionally focused "Incident Command System" — to help with health care access in eastern Massachusetts.

"This week, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health activated its Emergency Operation Plan as part of our ongoing commitment to ensure patient safety, protect access to care and preserve jobs," Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh said in a statement.

"This next step is part of our continued response to Steward Health Care's financial challenges," Walsh added.

The Incident Command System is used to organize efforts among state agencies, hospitals, community health centers, community service organizations, labor organizations, and other groups to make sure Steward hospitals are maintaining safe, quality care and services.

Officials will oversee any transitions in care that may occur at Steward hospitals, and manage the downstream regional effects on access to clinical care.

"This is the next step, and the responsible step in terms of making sure that we are prepared to do what we need to do when it comes to ensuring that patients have access to care, and that the health care market is stable," Healey told reporters on Friday.

Since January, DPH has had monitors in Steward hospitals to assess whether the facilities have the necessary supplies, equipment, and staffing to deliver safe and effective care. Those monitors remain in place.

"As part of Emergency Operations activation, the Department has formalized an Incident Command System to coordinate the regional planning work already underway," said DPH Commissioner Robert Goldstein.

"The Incident Command System incorporates the ongoing external monitoring in all Steward hospitals, enables DPH to rapidly respond to any clinical needs or issues that arise, and fosters increased communication with other regional health care organizations, first responders and community leaders," Goldstein added.

DPH's Incident Command will be led by Gregg Meyer, who has spent decades as an executive at Mass General Brigham, MGH/MGPO, and Dartmouth Health. A practicing primary care physician, Meyer has worked in the federal government under two administrations. He has extensive experience in hospital operations and crisis management.