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Photo courtesy of Town of Norwood. Pictured is the hearing room where testimony was heard for House Bill 5047, which preceded H.5553.
8-01-2026 9:04am
Legislature Approves Norwood Hospital Eminent Domain Bill, Sends It to Gov. Healey
Darlene Cancell
Editor
The Massachusetts House and Senate on Friday, July 31, has enacted legislation to authorize the Commonwealth to exercise eminent domain to acquire the Norwood Hospital property. The bill, H.5553, as amended by the Senate, is now before Governor Maura Healey.
As of August 1, the Legislature’s online bill history does not indicate action by the governor on this measure.
The bill includes an emergency preamble that was proposed by Senator Michael Rush in a Senate amendment to the House bill. It was approved by both chambers. Because of its designation as emergency legislation, the law can take effect immediately if the governor signs it.
In 2025, Gov. Healey directed the formation of a task force charged with the goal of reopening Norwood Hospital. The hospital has remained closed since June 2020 when more than 5 inches of rain fell within a short period, flooding the building and damaging equipment and property.
The task force is chaired by Norwood General Manager Tony Mazzucco and includes state Senator Michael Rush and state Representative John Rogers, the latter two who lead the Norwood Hospital Legislative Caucus.
As part of its efforts to attract a new hospital operator, the Town of Norwood launched the “Finish Norwood Hospital” campaign.
Although Norwood Hospital's for-profit operator, Steward Healthcare, began repairs and renovations following the flood, the company later declared bankruptcy. The hospital property is now owned by a real estate investment trust, Medical Properties Trust, which reportedly raised its asking price by 50 percent during negotiations with a potential new hospital operator.
According to the Town of Norwood, Norwood Hospital served 126,000 patients during its last full year of operation in 2019. The hospital reported an $11.2 million profit in 2018 and a $25 million profit in 2019.
