After five hours of highly detailed — often dry — testimony on the proposed expansion of Partners HealthCare, an unusually spirited exchange erupted between Suffolk Superior Court Judge Janet Sanders and Attorney General Martha Coakley, whose office has negotiated limits on the deal.
When Sanders suggested that the deal may have been politicized, and she might delay a final decision until after attorney general-elect Maura Healey takes office in January, Coakley took exception.
“I want to be clear on the record that no determination about the settlement or the investigation has any political overtone,” she said. “I want to be clear that the decisions that we made had nothing to do with whether I was running again for attorney general or whatever office I was seeking — because the court seems to be suggesting otherwise. I have done what I believe is in the best interest. And frankly, it’s a little concerning for the court today to say, 'Well, I want to know what the next attorney general is going to say,' because you either have enough information or you don’t, to make the decision.”
“OK, I didn’t mean to in any way impugn your integrity,” Sanders replied.
“Well, I think you have, your honor,” Coakley shot back.
“I’m sorry I did that, I truly did not mean to,” Sanders said. “I’m saying this is a very public issue that has important public ramifications.”
The judge is deciding whether to accept the antitrust settlement between the Attorney General’s Office and Partners, who are seeking to add three hospitals to their already expansive network. A coalition of area hospitals, as well as the state’s Health Policy Commission have been critical of the deal, saying it will do little to control already high health-care costs in the state. Sanders did not rule Monday. It’s unclear when a final ruling will come.
