Berwick Collects Over 2,000 Signatures Opposing Partners Deal
Thursday, August 21, 2014
This deal – negotiated by Attorney General Martha Coakley – will allow for Partners Healthcare to take over South Shore Hospital and Hallmark Health System, something Berwick is against.
"I have great respect for Partners, but this deal is not in the best interest of the people of Massachusetts," said Berwick. "This is evidence of the strong grassroots opposition to the deal. Partners is already able to dictate prices and raise costs across the system due to its dominance in the market. The Massachusetts Health Care Commission, which is charged to oversee and report on progress toward better and more affordable care, recommended against Partners’ acquisition of both South Shore and Hallmark. Why on earth would we allow this deal to go through?"
The 2,056 signatures collected more than doubled the campaign's original signature goal.
Coakley Contradicts Herself
Berwick says the Partners deal appears to contradict Coakley’s own 2013 report, which states that market dominance – not the quality of services – drives the cost of care. The consolidation of hospitals also has the potential to raise prices for patients.
By approving an unenforceable deal to consolidate the most expensive network in the Commonwealth, the Attorney General has all but ensured that lower-cost options will be reduced for consumers. The report also recommends increased transparency in order to protect smaller, lower-cost providers, but the deal was done behind closed doors without necessary public scrutiny.
"Martha Coakley had the opportunity to stand up for patients, businesses, workers, and communities, but she balked," Berwick added. "She should have followed her own advice by standing up and demanding that Partners lead on cost containment, but she was either unwilling or unprepared to do so. In this decision, Martha Coakley has failed to fight for the real interests of our Commonwealth. We should expect more diligence and backbone from an Attorney General, and, even more, from one who would be Governor."
Related Slideshow: Central MA Non-Profit Hospital CEO Pay, From Least To Most
Here are the total annual compensation amounts for the CEOs of the four non-profit hospital groups in Central Massachusetts. The source is each hospital group’s latest available 990 Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, which is filed with the IRS and available at Guidestar.org. The CEOs are shown here, from lowest to highest total compensation.
Related Articles
- Grossman Calls Partners Merger “Bad Deal” for MA
- NEW: Martha Coakley to Run for Governor of Massachusetts
- NEW: Coakley to Run for Governor
- Who Would You Vote for Governor: Baker or Coakley
- Berwick Responds to MassEquality’s Decision to Endorse Coakley
- Berwick Hosts Reddit AMA, Answers Campaign Questions
- NEW: EMILY’s List Endorses Martha Coakley in MA Governor’s Race
- Arthur Schaper: Schooling Massachusetts’ Governor on ABCs of EBTs
- Worcester Students to Join Governor Patrick for Project 351
- Arthur Schaper: “Mister Governor” Patrick’s Final Budget
- NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts Endorses Coakley for Governor
- NEW: Governor Patrick Responds to DCF Report
- NEW: Lt. Governor Candidate Arena-DeRosa Announces Campaign Staff
- Charlie Baker Accepts Republican Party Nomination for Governor
- Paul Giorgio: Mr. Baker, MA Doesn’t Want a Liar for Governor
- Angiulo: Powers of the MA Governor During States of Emergency
- Governor Patrick Announces $2 Million for QCC’s Technology Center
- 10 Things to Know for the 2014 Governor’s Race
- Horowitz : Governor LeBron James: (D-OH)
- Governor Signs Chandler’s MA Abortion Clinic Bill into Law
- Governor Patrick Awards Fellowship to Worcester Schools
- Planned Parenthood Endorses Martha Coakley for Governor
- NEW: Republican Karyn Polito Announces Bid for Lieutenant Governor
- Arthur Schaper: Massachusetts Needs Governor Bradford or Coolidge
- Arthur Schaper: What Would Senator Brooke Say, Mister Governor?
- NEW: Governor Patrick Makes Stanley Cup Bet With Illinois Governor
- NEW: Dan Wolf Announces Campaign for Governor
- Arthur Schaper: Mind Your Own Business, Mister Governor
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It