So That Reminds Me: Gonzalez reacts to Baystate’s merger with Mercy

State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez joined the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me.”
Reminder Publishing submitted photo

SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Health’s recent acquisition of Mercy Medical Center, set to become official on Nov. 1, is making waves throughout the region as people scramble to prepare for what this will mean for health care in Western Massachusetts.

On the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me,” state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez sat down with hosts Dennis Hackett and Tyler Garnet to discuss what is on the horizon in light of this announcement and how he plans to gather more information about the merger.

As of press time, Gonzalez met with Baystate Health President and CEO Peter Banko to gain more clarity about the impact the merger may have and how the decision may affect personnel, services and the role Mercy has in the region. He shared that he’s also privately met with the speaker of the state’s House of Representatives and is working with the Department of Public Health and personnel at Baystate to determine the best path forward following the announcement.

“We’ve been trying to make sure that we are in tune to what are the needs of that potential merger, but also more importantly, upon getting the notification, what changes we may potentially see that can adversely affect the services of the personnel at Mercy,” Gonzalez said.

The Springfield Democrat foresees a bevy of potential health impacts hitting the area when this merger officially takes shape. He mentioned the birthing center closing at Mercy and the overflow of people in the region’s hospitals as potential concerns for people who need hospital services in a prompt manner.

“Sometimes we may have seen in the past a bulging of people going to emergency rooms across our hospital systems, and that may have a negative impact,” Gonzalez said. “And that’s a five-minute to 20-minute delay on providing medical attention to somebody in an emergency situation, [which] could, you know, cost lives.”

On the topic of whether he thinks the merger will prevent Mercy from shutting down, a concern delegates and residents have had in the past, Gonzalez said that “mergers are like marriages,” and “many marriages end up in divorce and changes need to happen.”

“That’s why it’s important that we get answers directly on what they foresee are potential changes or challenges, and how can the state be impactful and find a system through this process,” Gonzalez said.

He noted that Baystate and Mercy are economic engines for the region “in so many ways,” whether it be through the birth centers or local pharmacy at Mercy. In that same breath, Gonzalez said the merger carries some potential drawbacks such as a loss of jobs, a problem he said will hopefully be addressed in future discussions with hospital leadership.

“We hope that whatever bargaining rights [doctors and nurses] have at Mercy can continue to remain,” Gonzalez said.

He shared that his job as a state representative is to serve the people, and although some are excited about the merger, he wants to make sure it doesn’t negatively impact residents in our region.

“I believe that government is for the people, by the people,” Gonzalez said. “Now is the prime time to be echoing your sentiments as to what you feel is a need. And if we can attach a cost to it that can be obtained, then we need to work on those efforts.”

Readers can listen to the full podcast episode with Gonzalez by visiting thereminder.com/our-podcast or searching “So That Reminds Me” on your favorite podcasting platform.