Metrowest Chamber of Commerce

MetroWest Medical Center Explores Beth Israel Affiliation, Asks Support vs Newton-Wellesley Move of one of our major employers would have effects on other businesses and could ultimately cost the jobs of thousands of workers who cannot afford to be unemployed in the midst of this economic crisis.”of one of our major employers would have effects on other businesses and could ultimately cost the jobs of thousands of workers who cannot afford to be unemployed in the midst of this economic crisis.”

MetroWest Medical Center (MWMC) CEO Andrei Soran told the Chamber Board of Directors at its March meeting that Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and MWMC have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore an affiliation that will lead to the expansion of services offered at MetroWest, create a clinical integration model that would improve patient access to specialty care in the community hospital setting and offer the MetroWest community access to the advanced medical care at BIDMC.

Soran told the Chamber Board that MWMC has not only improved financially, but achieved the “top tier” among hospitals in terms of cost/quality, gained the “gold” level in treatment of stroke (lower mortality rate than the national average), and signed a more favorable contract with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.

The MWMC CEO also explained the reasons for the hospital’s opposition to Newton-Wellesley Hospital’s proposed expansion of services into our area — it wants to set up an outpatient center — noting especially that such an expansion would threaten the continued development of MWMC.

In a letter to Attorney General Martha Coakley in support of MWMC, Chamber President Ted Welte said: “We support equal competition in the marketplace; however, this is a regulated marketplace, not the open market. The competition represented by Partners [Newton-Wellesley’s parent], has a clear advantage in reimbursements and has not shown any commitment to the community. MetroWest Medical Center has invested in the region and has made a long term commitment to employ local workers in our communities. We urge you to review the Newton-Wellesley Hospital proposal and take into account its impact on our local community and region. We also request that you look into the effect that this would have on businesses in the area. The closing of one of our major employers would have effects on other businesses and could ultimately cost the jobs of thousands of workers who cannot afford to be unemployed in the midst of this economic crisis.”