Massachusetts lawmakers approve bill to close loopholes in health care market

The Massachusetts Legislature approved a bill Monday aimed at closing loopholes in the state’s health care market regulatory process exposed by the collapse of Steward Health Care. The bill is also designed to increase financial transparency by gathering more information about hospital finances and assist in maintaining a more stable and sustainable health care system. Steward critics say the firm's bankruptcy shows the dangers of allowing private equity executives to seek profits by taking over hospitals, loading them with debt and stripping their assets. The bill now heads to Gov. Maura Healey's desk.