"Senators Warren and Markey Challenge Steward Health Care's Sale to Optum"

Steward Health Care's physician group has been purchased by OptumCare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, prompting state health care officials to review the proposed sale's potential impacts on health care costs, quality, access, and equity. The Health Policy Commission will assess the transaction and may initiate a full Cost and Market Impact Review if significant impacts are anticipated. Sen. Ed Markey expressed concerns about Steward's financial instability and urged Optum to prioritize controlling costs and preserving health care access in Massachusetts. Steward also indicated that it anticipates providing notices of material change regarding transactions involving its acute care hospitals and other provider operations in the next 12 months.