Nurse describes deaths, chronic understaffing at Steward hospitals as Vermont lawmakers consider private‑equity oversight

Ellen McGinnis, a nurse at Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center in Boston, told the House Committee on Health Care that chronic understaffing and corporate cost‑cutting at Steward Health Care hospitals led to preventable patient harm and deaths.

McGinnis, who said she has worked at Saint Elizabeth's for 26 years and represents 2,800 Massachusetts Nurses Association members at Steward hospitals, said Steward employees provide "more than 90% of the care delivered at Steward Hospitals." She told the committee: "The corporate... commodification of health care is the guiding at those of Steward. It's the 1 and only priority. And it has led to horrific suffering" for patients, staff and communities.

McGinnis detailed multiple incidents she said were tied to understaffing and equipment shortages, including emergency‑department patients who waited hours or days without admission, two patients at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen who died in the emergency department, two deaths at Good Samaritan after prolonged waits, and a 39‑year‑old woman who died after postpartum hemorrhage when an embolization coil was not available. She also described shortages of basic supplies such as infant formula and diapers and said bereavement boxes were not provided by vendors, forcing staff to buy supplies themselves.

The testimony prompted committee members to say Vermont should act to avoid a similar situation. Committee members acknowledged the state's hospital system is already fragile and discussed options short of an immediate legislative solution. Committee member Woody asked whether any Vermont hospitals are in imminent danger of private‑equity acquisition and whether short‑term guardrails might be put in place until more comprehensive legislation can be developed.

Sam (committee witness) told members the bill under consideration "is not designed to solve our affordability and access crisis. I would think of it more as trying to prevent things from getting worse." He said the proposed measures would create disclosure and oversight rules for private equity or investment firms that want to invest in Vermont health care providers, with specific criteria for the Green Mountain Care Board and the attorney general to follow.

Several members urged additional fact‑finding and stakeholder work over the legislative recess. One committee member asked that the private‑equity firm involved in a Springfield hospital acquisition be invited to testify so the panel can hear directly from the investors about their actions. Others urged collaboration with the attorney general and the Green Mountain Care Board to clarify enforcement authority and resources.

The committee did not take a formal vote on any bill during the portion of the hearing focused on private‑equity oversight. Lawmakers said they plan more work in the off‑season to refine statutory language, weigh regulatory duties for the Green Mountain Care Board and the attorney general, and identify short‑term guardrails.

McGinnis concluded her testimony by urging Vermont lawmakers to "put an end to this," saying she hoped the committee would act to prevent Steward‑type outcomes in Vermont.

For now, the committee signaled intent to continue stakeholder engagement and technical work over the summer before advancing comprehensive legislation in a subsequent session.