Caritas Granted New Licenses

As predicted by Globe writer Robert Weisman yesterday, that state Public Health Council unanimously granted licenses for the six Caritas Christi Heath Care hospitals to operate under new management. This decision further facilitates the sale of the Caritas system to Cerberus Capital Management. The licensure agreement comes with two minor conditions regarding “translational services and linguistic and cultural compentencies” and availability of  “wellness” programs . This hurdle was overcome after getting the g0-ahead – also with conditions – from Attorney General Martha Coakley after months of hearings and review. The Attorney General has or will advise the  Massachusetts Supreme Judical Court of her findings and then Court must weigh-in with their approval of this transfer of charitable assets from a non-profit to a for-profit, investor-owned business. One of the six Caritas hospitals is Holy Family Hospital in Methuen in the Merrimack Valley.

Read the latest from Weisman here in the Globe’s BreakingNews Business Update. Stay tuned.