By Bob Katzen

The Senate 10-30, rejected an amendment that would allow the Executive Branch to take immediate control of a healthcare provider’s assets in cases of the provider’s financial insolvency. The Executive Office of Health and Human Services would also play a part in developing a pathway, through regulations, to stabilize healthcare providers.

“We must safeguard the healthcare services our communities rely on, even in the face of financial challenges faced by providers,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Mark Pacheco. “We are in a moment of tremendous uncertainty about the future of Steward Health Care. If Steward hospitals were to close, hundreds of thousands of people in the commonwealth would be at risk of living in a healthcare desert. This crisis goes beyond dollars and cents. It is a matter of life and death.”

Pacheco said he will continue to push the Legislature to create a plan in order to protect patients in case negotiations between Steward, the courts and the Executive Branch lead to the closure of facilities.

Amendment opponents said the amendment should be rejected because no one has any idea of the cost of the amendment, which they said would be very expensive.

Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington), the Senate chair of the Committee on Healthcare Financing, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking her to comment on her opposition to the amendment.

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.)

Sen. Patricia Jehlen No