Morton workers rally to save hospital

TAUNTON, Mass. (WLNE) — A clear message was sent Tuesday on the Taunton Green from workers and supporters alike: save Morton Hospital.

“It’s our community hospital. It’s our home,” said Jennifer Poillucci, a nurse practitioner at Morton Hospital. “It’s crucial to this community to provide care. I mean, without it, it’d be dangerous for our community, our patients.”

Morton is one of several hospitals owned by Steward Health in Massachusetts that has had its future thrown into doubt amid an ongoing war of words between execs and the state.

“People are anxious,” Poillucci said. “People are worried.”

“Just having this being up in the air and not knowing what’s going on,” she continued. “We’re already seeing the impact.”

Locally, Steward owns Morton Hospital in Taunton and Saint Anne’s in Fall River.

In February, Governor Maura Healey called for Steward to leave the state and transition its hospitals to new owners.

The state has been concerned about the company’s finances for some time.

“Right at the moment, the legislature, the Governor’s Office, and her executive offices need to have an open book in order for us to support this hospital system with money, with state resources,” said State Representative Carol Doherty. “We have to know what their fiscal situation is.”

In responding to the governor’s letter earlier this year, Steward said it is willing to work on an orderly departure from the state.

Now, workers at Morton hope some company is willing to invest in these community hospitals.

“I think we’re all just praying that somebody will step forward and realize what a great hospital we are,” said Lynne Catino, a nursing assistant and mental health associate at Morton Hospital.

The group that organized today’s rally says 16,000 workers in the state and 200,000 patients depend on these hospitals.

There’s another rally planned Thursday at Kennedy Park, featuring workers from Saint Anne’s, and there is a petition circulating to save these hospitals too.