Steward Health Care, Largest US Hospital Chain, Seeks Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

Steward Health Care, the largest private hospital chain in the US, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday after struggling with $9 billion in debt. The company operates 31 hospitals across 8 states, caring for over 2.2 million patients annually. Steward hopes new ownership can be found without closing hospitals to ensure continued services for affected communities. The bankruptcy filing comes after months of financial instability, including vendor payment delays, temporary nurses leaving their jobs, and infestations.