Sen. Pacheco highly critical of plan to turn Morton Hospital into COVID-19 center

TAUNTON – State Sen. Marc R. Pacheco, D-Taunton, issued a statement Sunday highly critical of Steward Health Care’s plan to turn Morton Hospital into a COVID-19 center dedicated to coronavirus sufferers.

“I was outraged to learn that Steward Health Care plans to exclusively designate Morton Hospital in Taunton for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Steward’s decision would abandon its responsibility to provide inpatient care and cause grave harm to residents within Morton’s primary service area. Alternative options that could provide at least the same level of COVID-19-related services are readily available. The Morton service area deserves a more equitable plan that duly considers the possibility of designating a facility in any of the nearby regions that have more than one major hospital. Reserving Morton – the area’s sole option for essential inpatient services – for COVID-19 treatment would unfairly impact patients living within the primary service region.”

Pacheco added, “I am calling on Governor Baker, Commander Sudders, Acting Secretary Tsai, and Commissioner Bharel to take immediate action by revisiting Steward’s proposal to terminate essential services at Morton Hospital. Since when have we allowed a private healthcare provider to make public healthcare decisions for our state government? I urge the administration to work with the various stakeholders involved to develop a more equitable plan for Southeastern Massachusetts that manages COVID-19 needs, but does not unjustly deprive citizens of their sole option for essential care. I am also calling on Attorney General Maura Healey to conduct an independent investigation into Steward’s plan as a matter of public health, as well as a matter of civil and constitutional rights. Lastly, I am calling on the city of Taunton to pursue legal action that would enjoin Steward from proceeding with this ill-conceived proposal.”

He concluded, “The residents of Morton’s primary service area depend on this regional facility for essential inpatient care. Steward simply cannot relinquish its responsibilities to the families, seniors, veterans, and hardworking individuals living within Morton’s primary service area – especially where other viable options for treating COVID-19 patients are readily available.”