Health Care

Nurses group eyes ballot question for staffing, wages

Nurses who support mandatory staffing ratios are keeping their powder dry for a ballot fight they expect to wage this fall, a union chief told lawmakers on Monday.

UMass Memorial CEO: Clinic closure part of $50M efficiency plan

A plan to close Plumley Village Health Services on Belmont Street in Worcester is a drop in the bucket as UMass Memorial trims spending, CEO Eric Dickson said Wednesday.

Kennedy Community Health Center a leader on LGBTQ equality

The Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center, based in Worcester, has been named an industry leader by the Human Rights Campaign.

Health cost estimators catching on, Pioneer report says

A new study analyzed online cost estimator tools offered by three Massachusetts insurers, finding them to be more user-friendly than they were in 2015.

Editorial: Slow movements, big changes in health care

Having too few players dictating the level of care in the region and seeing more investment in high margin areas of specialty does appear concerning.

Saint Vincent, MetroWest Medical appear safe from divestment

Tenet Healthcare has sold nine hospitals since August and will sell four more, but the company has made no suggestion it will offload Saint Vincent Hospital or MetroWest Medical Center.

Business groups rallying against nursing staffing ballot question

The opposition to a proposed ballot question that would impose strict nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for Massachusetts hospitals has four new powerful voices on its side.

Lahey exec: Merger will lead to ‘true competition’

A proposed 13-hospital merger involving Beth Israel Deaconess HealthCare and Lahey Health would result in lower costs and won't involve front-line layoffs, officials from the companies said.

As public sentiment changes, some Mass. docs say ‘no’ to assisted suicide

Some doctors are questioning the Massachusetts Medical Society's recent decision to drop opposition to physician-assisted death as lawmakers mull legislation.