Optum Care has recently acquired Steward Health Care’s physician group in Massachusetts, as reported by Sen. Edward J. Markey D-Mass. The sale comes after Steward Health Care, which operates nine healthcare facilities in the state, faced financial instability due to accumulated debt. Previously owned by Cerberus Capital Management, a private equity company that made significant profits from Steward, the company is now facing new challenges.
Sen. Markey expressed concern over Steward’s financial stability and urged for a transition away from their practices. He emphasized the importance of maintaining healthcare access and ensuring patients and providers are the top priority. Markey suggested that Optum Care must demonstrate their commitment to controlling costs and prioritizing patient care.
The senator highlighted the need for healthcare reforms that prioritize patient outcomes over profit motives. As the chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, Markey has called for Steward CEO Dr. Ralph de la Torre to testify at a congressional hearing in Boston on April 3rd.
For more information about this acquisition or any other healthcare news topics, readers can reach out to Sen. Markey at markey@markeyforhealthcare.com or visit his website at www.markeyforhealthcare.com/newsroom/.
