Mass General Brigham continues its push to expand in central Massachusetts. UMass Memorial reports that “an ‘independent’ cost analysis prepared by a consultant selected and paid for by Mass General Brigham [MGB] was released . . . regarding MGB’s proposed expansion into Westborough, Woburn and Westwood. We were disappointed, but not surprised, that the ICA analysis was narrow in focus and skewed to favor MGB.” UMass Memorial contends that “The ICA [Independent Cost Analysis] failed to provide any analysis whatsoever of major cost drivers, the impact upon stability of local safety net hospitals, or the impact on health equity.”
A recent piece in the Boston Globe says that “the proposal pits MGB’s need to grow against the state’s interest in maintaining a competitive health care marketplace,” describing how the MGB’s business model of targeting wealthier patients undercuts the work of local community hospitals. (Read “After failed China project, Mass General Brigham eyes growth at home.”)
Together with UMass Memorial and other groups, SHARE opposes the MGB’s proposed expansion. The Department of Public Health is currently taking rebuttals to the MGB’s independent analysis.