Corrected and updated June 2, 2024
A coalition of local firefighters and caregivers who serve or work at Nashoba Valley Medical Center announced Friday they will hold a press conference in Ayer on Monday, June 3, calling on leaders of state government “to do whatever is necessary” to preserve the hospital, as well as eight other hospitals threatened with closure by the bankruptcy of Steward Health Care.
The meeting will be held outside the Depot Square train station, 70 Main St., Ayer at 1 p.m., according to a media advisory from the Massachusetts Nurses Association. The event will also be live streamed at the Massachusetts Nurses Association Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/massnurses
The press conference was organized by the International Association of Firefighters Local 2544 Ayer Fire Department and the Massachusetts Nurses Association. The event is the first in support of Nashoba since the financial plight of privately-owned Steward Health Care became public knowledge in late January, culminating in the company’s filing for bankruptcy last month.
In separate action last week, the Merrimack Valley Project, a coalition of 30 religious, labor, and advocacy groups based in Lawrence, launched an online petition calling on Gov. Maura Healy to do “everything in her power” to ensure the survival of Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer. It was the first public action on behalf of the hospital by any group in the region and has the backing of the Massachusetts Nurses Association and Service Employees International Union.
In its most recent filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District, lawyers for Steward Health Care, the hospital’s owner, confirmed it is for sale, but gave no indication it would remain open in the absence of a buyer.
“These are uncertain times for healthcare in Massachusetts, especially in the Nashoba Valley,” a spokesperson for MVP wrote in an accompanying statement. “We have heard that the Healey Administration may be willing to let Nashoba Valley Medical Center close, sacrificing our hospital as unnecessary.” “Yes, Steward is the villain in this script,” the statement continues. “But the truth is that no one is taking leadership to protect quality healthcare in the Nashoba Valley. … We’re done with politicians putting on a show; it’s time for them to actually help us get the healthcare we need. While the Governor talks about supporting biotech, we want her to also support the hospitals that take care of thousands of people.”
As of Sunday morning, June 2, the Merrimack Valley Project had collected 450 signatures on its petition. For more information, go to MVP NVMC Petition.
Editor's note: This story was updated June 2 at 1 p.m. to include an announcement of the Monday event in support of Nashoba Valley Medical Center.
