Statement on Proposed Exeter Hospital Service Cuts

Concord, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella releases the following statement on Exeter Hospital’s proposed cuts to patient service offerings:

“Exeter Hospital recently announced a series of proposed cuts of healthcare services impacting patient care for thousands, negatively impacting local municipalities, and directly affecting programs and services vital to seniors as well as low income and disadvantaged populations. The announcement provided insufficient notice to patients, care providers, and the community as a whole causing great concern to those impacted. 

My office immediately engaged in discussions with Beth Israel Lahey Health and Exeter Hospital regarding concerns related to Beth Israel’s commitments to continue services in the Seacoast community; obligations under the Final Judgment; obligations under the Affiliation Agreement; obligations under the Exeter Health Resources Clinical Services Growth Plan; and compliance with all other relevant provisions of state and federal law.

While the New Hampshire Department of Justice conducts a thorough compliance review Exeter Hospital and Beth Israel Lahey Health have agreed to pause the discontinuation of the following services for a period of up to six months:

-    Neurology

-    Pediatric Dental

-    Advanced Life Support (Paramedic Intercept) Program

-    Podiatry 

-    Allergy and Immunology 

Exeter Hospital has committed to undertake the following steps during that period: 

1.    Create a detailed proposed transition plan for each of the healthcare services impacted to ensure that there is no lapse in patient care.

2.    Cooperate with the New Hampshire Department of Justice’s ongoing review as to whether any proposed cuts comply with the terms of the Final Judgment entered into with the State of New Hampshire on the recent Beth Israel Lahey Health acquisition of Exeter Hospital, as well as other obligations under the Affiliation Agreement and relevant provisions of state and federal law.

Over the next six months my office will carefully review the details and information that Exeter Hospital and Beth Israel provide. 

The New Hampshire Department of Justice’s role regarding healthcare transactions extends beyond reviewing the proposed affiliation itself. We must ensure that healthcare charitable trusts comply with the terms of all agreements as well as state law and do not take action that places patients at risk. Beth Israel has represented to me that it understands its role as a healthcare trust and is committed to regaining the confidence of the community it serves.”