Sen. Warren accuses Steward of 'putting profits over patients'

Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said Monday that Steward Health Care's explanations for its financial woes "do not add up," and "it's clear that Steward executives put profits over patients."

Steward has said financial losses jeopardize operations at its nine hospitals in Massachusetts, which serve tens of thousands of patients and employ more than 14,000 people. The company has said a main reason for its difficulties is lower reimbursement rates for publicly insured patients.

State officials have said they're in talks with Steward to protect patients' access to health care and preserve jobs, but Gov. Maura Healey said last week the company will not receive a bailout from the state. A plan to deal with Steward's Massachusetts hospitals could come this week.

Warren said she organized a briefing with other members of the state's congressional delegation to "press Steward for answers."

"My primary concern is the thousands of patients who face threats to care and the front-line health care workers whose jobs are at risk," Warren said in a statement. "I will continue investigating the decisions that led to this potential public health crisis.”

In an emailed statement, Steward said it serves vulnerable patients in Massachusetts and is working to continue care.

"We are committed to working productively with public officials to ensure that we can provide uninterrupted and high-quality care for the communities we serve," Steward's statement said.

Last week, Warren and other members of the congressional delegation asked Steward for information about the company's "financial position, the status of their Massachusetts facilities, and their plans to ensure the communities they serve are not abandoned."

Steward Health Care's Massachusetts facilities include St. Anne's Hospital in Fall River, Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Brighton, Carney Hospital in Dorchester and Holy Family Hospital in Methuen and Haverhill. The company is in the process of closing New England Sinai Hospital, a rehabilitation facility in Stoughton.