Lawmakers express concern that closures of outpatient medical oncology and radiation oncology departments could leave local community vulnerable, exacerbate health inequities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Assistant Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Katherine Clark (D-MA-05) and Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) wrote to Dr. Saum Sutaria, the CEO of Tenet Healthcare, expressing their concerns over the anticipated closure of the outpatient medical oncology and radiation oncology departments at MetroWest Medical Center (MWMC). The lawmakers called for Dr. Sutaria to reconsider the unit closures at MWMC, which will place an undue burden on medically and financially vulnerable families in the MetroWest area. In their letter, the lawmakers underline that ongoing closures and staff departures at MWMC could reduce the effectiveness of community care.

“The loss of local oncology care in MetroWest represents an added burden to patients and families already facing the fear and stress of a cancer diagnosis,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter. “Tenet’s decision to terminate these services will exacerbate health inequities for the most vulnerable patients.”

The letter continued, “The proposed closure of the outpatient medical oncology and radiation oncology departments at MWMC, the string of recent decisions affecting MWMC, and the extraordinary compensation that you and other top Tenet executives have earned raise serious questions about Tenet’s commitment to MetroWest residents and its prioritization of resources. 

The lawmakers requested a reply from Dr. Sutaria by July 8th, including an explanation of the recent department and unit closures and the number of patients impacted by closures, among other concerns. 

A copy of the letter can be found HERE.

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