Public health emergency in Boston

The Boston City Council is urging a public health emergency declaration to prevent the closure of Carney Hospital in Dorchester, set to shut down by the end of August due to Steward Health Care's bankruptcy. Councilors express that the closure will worsen healthcare access in Boston, particularly impacting underserved communities reliant on the hospital. They are advocating for the city and state to consider eminent domain to keep the hospital operational if necessary. Meanwhile, Ayer officials are also pressing for a public health emergency declaration to save Nashoba Valley Medical Center, which is facing the same fate. Both hospitals' closures are seen as exacerbating existing healthcare challenges, with local leaders warning of the detrimental effects on emergency response times and overall community health. The situation has sparked outrage over the mismanagement by Steward Health Care and the need for immediate action from state authorities.