More than 85,000 healthcare workers who make up the 1199SEIU membership in Massachusetts, praised lawmakers on December 31 for passing legislation that will improve oversight and regulation of the state’s healthcare system in response to the Steward Healthcare bankruptcy. The new legislation seeks to reduce the cost of prescription drugs and advance health equity.

“Healthcare workers saw firsthand this year what happens when companies put their demand for profit and personal gain ahead of the needs of patients—our communities suffer the consequences, and healthcare workers are left to clean up the mess,” said Tim Foley, 1199SEIU executive vice-president. “We need stronger oversight, regulation and enforcement to better protect our healthcare system from future bad actors and new market entrants. This bill’s expanded oversight and regulation provisions are essential to preventing a repeat of the Steward Health Care crisis by enhancing the role of the Health Policy Commission, Attorney General’s Office and other state regulators.

“At the same time,” Foley continued, “our entire healthcare system is still struggling to adjust to Steward’s collapse—and our hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities face a worsening workforce crisis.

Healthcare workers across Massachusetts continue to struggle with inadequate pay, insufficient staffing levels, and safety issues on the job. We look forward to working together with the Legislature, Governor Healey, and all stakeholders to address these critical workforce issues in the next legislative session so we can preserve access to the high-quality healthcare Massachusetts is known for.”