BOSTON — After two Steward Healthcare hospitals officially closed, some unemployed workers and residents in Dorchester and Ayer are wondering what happens next.
There were hugs, tears and some fear as Kearney Hospital in Dorchester and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer closed their doors at 7 a.m. Saturday morning.
“The story is not over yet,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said.
Bankrupt Steward Health Care was unable to find qualified bidders for two facilities and was forced to close them.
On Friday, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey announced that five of Steward’s Massachusetts hospitals have been bought by other companies and that the state plans to acquire one more through eminent domain.
“We are still in discussions with the state and other health care providers and organizations to assist them and explore what is possible,” Wu said.
Some employees who were at Kearney Hospital when the doors closed said they would have to find new jobs.
“Some of them, if they were qualified, could have progressed to open positions at other Steward facilities and then joined, but some chose not to. They wanted out of Steward completely, and I don’t blame them,” said former employee Mary Ann Murphy.
Still, some are concerned about overcrowding in emergency rooms at other hospitals and among local residents who depended on easy access to medical care.
“I’m still hopeful that there’s a solution, because we’re all committed to making sure there is a solution and finding a way to make sure that health care is available there,” Mayor Wu said.
The governor said he remains focused on getting Steward out of Massachusetts while protecting access to care, jobs and the stability of the health care system. The new hospital agreement requires approval from the bankruptcy court, and a hearing is scheduled for Sept. 4, the governor said.
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