SHARE Members Information Meeting: About MGB

Why SHARE Opposes Mass General Brigham Expansion in Westborough

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Noon-12:30 & 12:30-1:00

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85231547713

Or dial-in: 301-715-8592 and enter meeting ID: 85231547713

“I hope people get fired up about this. A big new shiny building isn’t going to necessarily be better or give you good care. A sparkling waiting room isn't going to give you good care. Marlborough Hospital is a small community hospital. We don't have big parking garages, you don’t have to pay to park. You’re greeted at the door when you come in, even before COVID. We play a vital role in the community, and we serve an under-served part of the community. It would be a shame if MGB came into town, because I worry that we would have to close eventually.” — Melissa Green, Surgical Technologist & Member of the SHARE Executive Board at Marlborough Hospital

Join us to talk about why SHARE Executive Boards at both Marlborough Hospital and the Medical Center voted to oppose the huge clinic complex that Mass General Brigham (MBG) is proposing to build in Westborough. The MGB complex could threaten SHARE jobs, increase the cost of our health insurance, and hurt the finances of our safety net hospitals. Read more here.

SHARE leaders will be among many to testify at the DPH hearing against the proposal on April 6th and provide written testimony after. UMass Memorial and numerous local mayors, city councilors, community groups, state reps, healthcare providers and chambers of commerce are testifying against the proposal because they don’t think it would be good for healthcare and citizens in Central Mass.

Join us Wednesday during your lunch break to hear more, and to find out how you can put in your two cents to help stop the new MGB clinics in Westborough.

p.s., In case you missed it, check out SHARE’s post and links to the Chronicle episode on WCBV Channel 5 that was dedicated entirely to UMass Memorial caregivers’ work during the pandemic

Mass General Is Coming this Way

What does Mass General Brigham Expansion West

Mean for SHARE Members? 

If you’ve seen the news lately, you may have seen the articles (here and here) about Mass General Brigham’s plans to build at new outpatient center in Westborough. Mass General Brigham (formerly “Partners”, now known as “MGB”) announced it plans to spend $400 million to build new ambulatory centers in 3 towns along the outer suburban ring of Boston -- Westborough, Woburn, and Salem, NH – as well as to expand their clinics in Westwood.

Competition for UMass Memorial

The SHARE Executive Board at Marlborough Hospital is particularly concerned about MGB taking away UMass Memorial patients since they would be close by. If patients decide to get their outpatient care there, they may drive into Boston when they need inpatient care too. If a substantial number of patients choose MGB, that could threaten jobs at Marlborough Hospital.

MGB is the largest provider of healthcare in Massachusetts, with notoriously deep pockets. They are locating these clinics in relatively wealthy towns, where there are more patients with private insurance. Hospitals get paid more for the care we provide by private insurance than by from Medicare, and especially by MassHealth (Medicaid). Some say that MGB is intentionally trying to attract the better-paying patients, while leaving safety net hospitals like UMass Memorial to care for the Medicare and Medicaid patients. That’s not good for the bottom line at UMass Memorial.

Making the Cost of Care Go Up?

The cost of care at Mass General Brigham is higher than at other providers in the state. Data from the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission showed that “As more outpatient procedures shift to Partners hospitals, costs overall go up.” These proposed new clinics could accelerate that trend. If UMass Memorial employees choose to get their care at the new MGB locations, it could increase the cost of health insurance for all of us.

DPH Approval Needed

MGB has to get approval from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health before building these new ambulatory centers. UMass Memorial and other health systems will probably want their voices to be heard in that process. SHARE plans to pay close attention to the proceedings, and to make SHARE members’ point of view heard.