SARAYA: I AM SARAYA WINTERSMITH.

TONIGHT, HOW SHOULD CITIES AND UNIVERSITIES RESPOND AS PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTERS CAMPED OUT ON CAMPUSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

AND HERE IN MASSACHUSETTS.

I WILL TALK TO CITY COUNSELOR BEN WEBER WHO SAYS BOSTON GOT IT WRONG AT EMERSON COLLEGE.

PLUS, STEWARD HEALTH CARE, THE COMPANY BEHIND SEVERAL MASSACHUSETTS HOSPITALS IS FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR PATIENTS AND ESTATE’S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE?

-- THE STATE’S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE?

M.I.T.

HAS ORDERED PROTESTERS TO CLEAR OUT THE PRO-PALESTINE ENCAMPMENT ON ITS CAMPUS.

JUST DAYS AFTER STUDENTS AT TUFTS REMOVED THEIRS AFTER THEIR UNIVERSITY THREATENED ARREST, SUSPENSIONS, AND OTHER SANCTIONS OVER THEIR DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST ISRAEL’S ATTACKS IN GAZA.

AND THIS WAS FINANCIAL TIES TO THE COUNTRY.

THE THREAT OF ARRESTS BECAME REAL AT SOME OF THE BOSTON AREA CAMPUS PROTESTS LIKE, POLICE ARRESTED MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE A COUPLE WEEKS BACK.

RESPONSE DREW PLAN -- PLENTY OF CRITICISM INCLUDING FROM CITY COUNSELOR BEN WEBER WHO SAID AND PART, NO ONE SHOULD BE ARRESTED FOR EXPRESSING THEIR POLITICAL VIEWS, AND IF WE AS A CITY IN CONJUNCTION WITH UNIVERSITIES CANNOT FIND A WAY TO ALLOW FOR PEACEFUL PROTESTS, WE ARE IN A SORRY STATE.

WEBER IS ONE OF 11 CITY COUNCILMEMBERS WHO VOTED IN FAVOR OF A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE AND PERMANENT CEASE-FIRE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE THIS PAST WEEK.

COUNSELOR WEBER JOINS ME NOW ALONG WITH YAWU MILLER.

YAWU COUNSELOR, WELFARE, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH ME TODAY.

COUNCILOR WEBER: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

SARAYA: I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

BOSTON NORMALLY HERALDS ITSELF AS A LEADER ON HARD ISSUES FACING THE WORLD.

BUT THERE HAS BEEN IN A RESOLUTION PASSED SINCE LAST OCTOBER WHEN THE CONFLICT BEGAN.

IT IS MAY 2024 NOW.

BOSTON’S RESOLUTION FOLLOWS THOSE FROM SOMERVILLE AND MEDFORD AND CAMBRIDGE.

WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG AND WHAT SHOULD THE PUBLIC MAKE OF THE FACT THAT IT DID TAKE SO LONG TO GET A RESOLUTION?

COUNCILOR WEBER: I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT WE ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

AND IN FACT, IT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT I WORKED ON WHEN I JOINED THE COUNCIL IN JANUARY.

I THINK IT IS A VERY DIFFICULT ISSUE.

AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT THE WORLD HAS BEEN GRAPPLING WITH SINCE OCTOBER 7.

AND WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT GROUPS HERE IN BOSTON, AND I THINK THE DIFFERENCE HERE IS THAT WE HAD TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF A LOT OF DIFFERENT GROUPS.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT TOOK MORE TIME THAN THOSE OTHER TOWNS.

SARAYA: I KNOW SOME LOCAL AND REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS WERE VOCALLY OPPOSED TO THE RESOLUTION AS IT PASSED.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESPONSE AMONG YOUR CONSTITUENTS?

COUNCILOR WEBER: ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO WORK ON THIS IS BECAUSE I HEARD FROM MY CONSTITUENTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER OCTOBER 7, AND ONCE I TOOK OFFICE.

WHAT I HEARD WAS INCREDIBLY BROAD RANGE OF REACTIONS.

I HEARD FROM JEWS WITH CONNECTIONS TO ISRAEL WHO FELT LIKE THEY ARE VERY HUMANITY WAS BEING DENIED BECAUSE THE PAIN AND SUFFERING THEY FELT ON OCTOBER 7 WAS NOT BEING RECOGNIZED.

I ALSO HEARD FROM PALESTINIANS WHO ARE MY CONSTITUENTS AS WELL, WHO FELT LIKE THEIR SUFFERING PRIOR TO OCTOBER 7 WAS NOT BEING RECOGNIZED.

AND THEN PEOPLE WERE NOT DOING ENOUGH TO STOP THE CARNAGE ASSOCIATED WITH ISRAEL’S ACTIONS IN GAZA.

SINCE THE RESOLUTIONS PASSED, I HAVE HEARD -- I THINK MOST PEOPLE, REGARDLESS OF WHAT SIDE OF THE LINE THEY FALL ON, WANT TO SEE AN END TO THE BOOK VIOLENCE -- TO THE VIOLENCE IN GAZA.

I HAVE HEARD MOSTLY SUPPORTIVE THINGS.

SOME PEOPLE DON’T FEEL LIKE WE WENT FAR ENOUGH.

OTHERS FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD NOT HAVE ADDRESSED THIS TO BEGIN WITH.

MY PERSONAL BELIEF IS I DON’T WANT TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN GAZA CONTINUE.

AND WHAT LITTLE I CAN DO AS A BOSTON’S CITY COUNCIL OR WAS TO HELP PUSH FOR A CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION ON THE FLOOR.

SARAYA: WE SHOULD NOTE THAT AT THE TIME OF RECORDING THIS SHOW, WE ARE HEARING REPORTS OF HAMAS ACCEPTING A POTENTIAL CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT.

NO WORD YET ON ISRAEL’S RESPONSE.

HOWEVER ONE VIEWS THE CONFLICT, THE 10 GENTLE ISSUES THAT STEM FROM THE CONFLICT DIRECTLY AFFECT CITY CONSTITUENTS.

IN A TOWN KNOWN FOR ITS WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, THAT HAS MEANT PROTESTS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

AFTER THE COUNCIL PASSED ITS CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION, MAYOR MICHELLE WU CAME OUT WITH THIS STATEMENT, SAYING SHE SUPPORTS A PATH FOR PEACE, RETURN OF HOSTAGES TO ISRAEL, AND HUMANITARIAN AID TO THE PEOPLE OF GAZA.

YAWU MILLER, IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS, SHE HAS CANCELED A SCHEDULED APPEARANCE AT HARVARD AFTER STUDENT GROUPS WITHDREW SUPPORT FOR THE EVENT.

THEY WERE UPSET OVER HER INVOLVEMENT IN THE DECISION TO SEND POLICE INTO A PRO-PALESTINE STUDENT ENCAMPMENT AT EMERSON COLLEGE.

THE MAYOR SAID SHE AND THE POLICE COMMISSIONER MADE THAT DECISION JOINTLY.

BEYOND THE HARVARD COUNSEL ISSUE, WHAT HAS BEEN THE WIDER RESPONSE TO THE MAYOR?

YAWU: I THINK DURING THE MAYOR’S COFFEE HOURS IN NEIGHBORHOODS, SHE HAS BEEN ACCOSTED BY SOME OF THE EMERSON STUDENTS WHO WERE ARRESTED.

OTHERS WHO WERE IN SUPPORT OF THEM.

I THINK PEOPLE WERE UPSET AT THE LEVEL OF BRUTALITY THAT THE POLICE UNLEASHED ON THE PROTESTERS.

PEOPLE WERE TAKEN ABACK, SOME OF THE PROTESTERS WERE SLAMMED TO THE GROUND, SOME OF THE WOMEN COMPLAINED THEIR JOBS WERE RIPPED OFF, THEIR WORK INJURIES, HOSPITALIZATIONS.

THIS IS FOR A NONVIOLENT PROTEST, PRESUMABLY THE CONCERN WAS ACCORDING TO THE MAYOR, THAT THERE WERE FIRE EXITS BLOCKED BY TENANTS.

-- BY TENTS.

THE RESPONSE OF EMERSON ARRESTING MORE THAN 100 STUDENTS AT NORTHEASTERN, ANOTHER HUNDRED STUDENTS ARRESTED, IT IS CONTROVERSIAL.

SARAYA: I WANT TO NOTE WE HAVE VIDEO OF THE MAYOR BEING ACCOSTED AT THE COFFEE HOUR BY SOMEONE WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THE PROTESTS.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> THEY WERE PLEADING FOR THEM TO STOP.

THEY CONTINUED TO KEEP US ON THE GROUND.

>> I’M IN A NECK BRACE.

I’M GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE SURGERY.

I DIDN’T DO NOTHING.

>>>> DID YOU SEE THEM POWER WASH THE BLOOD OFF THE STREETS AFTER THEY BEAT THE -- OUT OF US?

>> AND BLOODY KNUCKLES.

I DON’T SEE NO RIOTS.

I DON’T KNOW.

YOU DO NOT CARE -- THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY TO YOU.

>> PLEASE ARE VERY GENERAL STATEMENTS.

SARAYA: COUNCILOR WEBER, TURNING TO YOU, YOU ISSUE THAT STATEMENT ON TWITTER CALLING THE INCREASED POLICE RESPONSE TO THE PROTESTS IN BOSTON AND ELSEWHERE "DEEPLY CONCERNING."

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THOSE WORDS AS YOU SIT HERE NOW TODAY AND YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE MAYOR GETTING SOME PUSHBACK FOR THAT DECISION?

COUNCILOR WEBER: I ISSUED MY STATEMENT BECAUSE THIS WAS THE SECOND SET OF ARRESTS OF PROTESTERS.

I DID NOT WANT TO SEE ESCALATED CONFRONTATIONS BETWEEN POLICE AND PROTESTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

I THINK WHEN YOU SEND IN POLICE TO STOP PEOPLE FROM ENGAGING IN POLITICAL SPEECH, YOU ARE GOING TO END UP WITH VIOLENCE LIKE WE SAW.

I JUST HOPE WE DON’T SEE ANYMORE.

SARAYA: YAWU, IT IS A HARD THING TO BALANCE.

IT HAS RISEN TO THE LEVEL OF NATIONAL POLITICS THAT WE HAVE A VIDEO OF THE PRESIDENT TALKING ABOUT THE BALANCE THAT FOLKS NEED TO STRIKE.

PRES.

BIDEN: WE ARE NOT AN AUTHORITARIAN NATION WHERE WE SILENCE PEOPLE OR SQUASH DISSENT.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE HEARD.

PEACEFUL PROTESTS IS THE BEST TRADITION OF HOW AMERICANS RESPOND TO CONSEQUENTIAL ISSUES.

BUT, NEITHER ARE WE A LAWLESS COUNTRY.

SARAYA: WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM FOLKS ABOUT HOW TO BALANCE THAT LACK OF LAWLESSNESS, OR THEIR PERCEIVED LACK OF LAWLESSNESS WITH THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT?

YAWU: I THINK NATIONALLY, WE HAVE SEEN MORE THAN 2000 STUDENTS ARRESTED.

I THINK IT WAS UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, THEY WERE FIRING RUBBER COATED STEEL BULLETS AT PROTESTERS.

THERE HAS BEEN TEARGAS, PEPPER SPRAY.

IT IS AN INTERESTING CONTRAST.

NATIONALLY AND IN BOSTON WITH OTHER PROTESTS, BACK IN THE 1980’S WHEN PEOPLE WERE PROTESTING FOR DIVESTMENT FROM BUSINESSES THAT WERE INVESTED IN SOUTH AFRICA.

THERE WASN’T THAT -- STUDENTS WERE NOT GETTING ARRESTED.

IN MANY CASES, THEY WERE NOT GETTING ARRESTED.

THE SHANTIES WERE STAYING UP ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES FOR WEEKS ON END.

THERE WAS DISCUSSION AND DIALOGUE AROUND DIVESTMENT.

I THINK THAT HAS HAPPENED IN A HANDFUL OF COLLEGES.

BUT THE POLICE RESPONSE IS OVERWHELMING.

IT IS MORE REMINISCENT OF WHAT HAPPENED DURING VIETNAM, WHICH WAS SOMETHING THAT WENT -- THAT DID NOT GO DOWN WELL IN HISTORY.

I THINK NATIONALLY, PEOPLE ARE RECOGNIZING IT IS ALMOST AS IF THERE IS A DOUBLE STANDARD.

HERE IN BOSTON, THE POLICE ARE MONITORING THESE PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTS.

YOU ARE SEEING THE BOSTON REGIONAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER, THEY RELEASED REAMS OF INTELLIGENCE REPORTS TO THE MUSLIM JUSTICE LEAGUE.

YET IN 2022, JULY 2020 TWO, WHEN THE PATRIOT FRIEND MARCHED THROUGH DOWNTOWN BOSTON, 100 PEOPLE WITH SHIELDS, THEY ASSAULTED A BLACK MAN.

THERE WAS NO POLICE PRESENCE DURING THAT ENTIRE INCIDENT.

AND APPARENTLY, NO INTELLIGENCE.

IT WAS AS IF EVEN THOUGH REPORTERS KNEW THIS WAS HAPPENING, THE POLICE DIDN’T.

YOU CAN SEE SOME DOUBLE STANDARDS HERE.

SARAYA: CONSULAR WEBER, I WANT TO ATTEND BACK TO YOU AND ASK WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU WANT BOSTON TO BE SENDING TO YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT GETTING INVOLVED IN POLITICS?

WHAT RESPONSE DO YOU THINK WOULD AND BODY THAT BEST -- WOULD EMBODY THAT BEST?

COUNCILOR WEBER: I WANT TO SEND THE MESSAGE THAT WE WELCOME PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATIONS AND POLITICAL SPEECH.

AND IT IS NOT GOING TO BE MET WITH ARRESTS.

WE DEFINITELY DON’T WANT TO SEE ANYONE GET HURT.

WE JUST HEARD ABOUT VIETNAM DEMONSTRATIONS, WATCHING IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE ARRESTS, THIS WAS BEFORE MY TIME, BUT I THOUGHT ABOUT JACKSON STATE.

WE DON’T WANT TO SEE ANYONE GET HURT.

BY THE OTHER THING THAT MADE ME THINK OF WAS HOW DEMONSTRATIONS IN 1968 HELPED US WIND UP WITH RICHARD NIXON AS PRESIDENT.

WE ARE HEADING INTO AN IMPORTANT ELECTION.

AND I KNOW THAT IN REPUBLICAN CIRCLES, THEY ARE TOO HAPPY TO FAN THE FLAMES OF THIS.

FOR THEIR OWN PURPOSES.

I HOPE WE CAN LEARN FROM 1968, 1970, NOT REPEAT THOSE MISTAKES TODAY.

SARAYA: MILLER, SPEAKING OF ELECTIONS, I WILL GIVE YOU THE LAST WORD HERE.

WHAT ARE THE POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS, IF THERE ARE ANY, FOR THE MAYOR WHEN SHE IS LOOKING AT REELECTION IN THE NEXT YEAR?

YAWU: IT’S HARD TO SAY.

IT’S HARD TO SAY WHO IS RUNNING AGAINST HER.

SHE CERTAINLY SEEMS LIKE SHE MAY HAVE ALIENATED SOME OF THE MORE PROGRESSIVE ELEMENTS IN BOSTON.

DEPENDING ON WHETHER -- IF SHE HAS AN APPOINTMENT -- OPPONENT, IN OUTLOOK DEPEND ON WHO THAT OPPONENT IS.

IT IS VERY DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, TO UNSEAT A SITTING MAYOR IN BOSTON.

REALLY IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

SARAYA: YAWU MILLER, BEN WEBER, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YAWU: THANK YOU.

SARAYA: NEXT, AFTER MONTHS ON THE BRINK OF FINANCIAL COLLAPSE, STEWARD HEALTH CARE IS FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY.

IN A PRESS CONFERENCE, GOVERNOR MAURA HEALEY DID NOT MINCE WORDS WHEN IT COMES TO WHO IS TO BLAME.

>> THE SITUATION STEMS FROM AND IS ROOTED IN GREED, MISMANAGEMENT, AND LACK OF TRANSPARENCY ON THE PART OF STEWARD LEADERSHIP AND DALLAS, TEXAS.

THIS IS A STEP TOWARD OUR GOAL OF GETTING STUART OUT OF MASSACHUSETTS.

SARAYA: A TEXAS-BASED FOR-PROFIT CHAIN SAYS EIGHT OF ITS NINE MASSACHUSETTS HOSPITALS ARE STILL OPEN AND RUNNING.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN IN THE LONG RUN FOR PATIENTS?

AND THE STATES HEALTH CARE SYSTEM OVERALL?

GBH NEWS STATEHOUSE REPORTER KATIE LANNAN JOINS ME NOW.

YOU WERE THERE GETTING REACTION FROM OFFICIALS TODAY.

YOU WERE A SUPERSTAR.

THANK YOU FOR BEING AVAILABLE TODAY.

WHAT WAS THE TOP OFFICIALS REACTION TO THIS NEWS LIKE?

KATIE: AS YOU HEARD FROM GOVERNOR HEALY, THERE IS CERTAINLY STATE GOVERNMENT, NOT A BIG FAN OF STEWARD AT THIS POINT AFTER THE UNCERTAINTY THAT HAS BEEN CREATED AROUND THEIR FINANCES AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR MASSACHUSETTS.

THE GOVERNOR HAS ALREADY CALLED FOR STEWARD TO LEAVE MASSACHUSETTS.

SHE SAYS THIS IS A STEP TOWARD ACHIEVING THAT GOAL.

THAT ULTIMATELY, THINGS ARE GOING TO LOOK DIFFERENT WHEN WE ARE AT THE OTHER END OF THE BANKRUPTCY PROCESS.

WE DON’T REALLY KNOW HOW.

THERE MIGHT SOME DISRUPTIONS, INCONVENIENCES.

ULTIMATELY, HEALING AND OTHER STATE OFFICIALS, ONE THING THEY ARE WATCHING FOR IN THE BANKRUPTCY PROCESS IS IT COULD BRING MORE TRANSPARENCY TO STEWARD’S’S OPERATIONS, THEIR FINANCIAL DEALINGS.

THAT IS SOMETHING THE GOVERNOR AND OTHERS IN THE STATE, PARTICULARLY IN THE HEALTH CARE SPACE, ON THE HEALTH CARE SIDE OF THINGS, HAVE BEEN SAYING STEWARD HAS NOT BEEN PROVIDING THEM WITH THE INFORMATION THEY NEED.

SARAYA:SARAYA: TO YOUR POINT ABOUT THE GOVERNOR NOT BEING A FAN PRETTY OPENLY OF STEWARD AT THIS JUNCTURE.

TODAY IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE YOU WERE AT, SHE WILL FOR TO THEM AS A FAILED SYSTEM.

>> WE’VE GOT A SITUATION WHERE THIS IS A FAILED MANAGEMENT TEAM AND A FAILED INSTITUTION THAT HAS INCURRED A BOATLOAD OF DEBT.

THAT WILL WORK ITSELF THROUGH, THE BANKRUPTCY PROCESS.

IN THE MEANTIME, WHAT WILL NOT CHANGE AS THESE HOSPITALS WILL REMAIN OPEN LIMITATIONS SHOULD CONTINUE TO ACCESS FOR CARE.

SARAYA: LET’S DIG INTO THAT MORE NOW.

WHAT DOES THIS BANKRUPTCY MOTION MEAN FOR FOLKS WHO GET THEIR CARE FROM STEWARD FACILITIES?

KATIE: THE MESSAGE THAT WAS COMING FROM GOVERNOR HEALY IS THAT IF YOU GO TO STEWARD FOR YOUR HEALTH CARE, IF YOU SEE A DOCTOR AFFILIATED WITH STEWARD, THAT THOSE FACILITIES ARE STILL OPEN.

YOUR PROVIDERS ARE STILL WORKING THERE.

YOU SHOULD CONTINUE GOING THERE.

THEY ARE REMAINING OPEN AND PART OF THIS MESSAGE IS BECAUSE THEY DON’T NECESSARILY WANT TO SEE PEOPLE FLOODING OTHER HOSPITAL SYSTEMS IN THE STATE THAT ARE ALSO DEALING WITH THEIR OWN CAPACITY AND STAFF CHALLENGES.

THE STEWARD HOSPITALS ARE STILL HERE, STILL RUNNING.

THE STATE HAS SET UP A WEBSITE AND A HOTLINE FOR PATIENTS WHO HAVE QUESTIONS.

THEY WILL BE LONGER MEDIUM TERM.

THE STATE OFFICIALS WILL BE WORKING TO ENSURE THAT STEWARD PATIENTS CAN GET THE CARE THEY NEED.

THEY ALSO WILL HAVE OTHER EFFORTS FROM ADVOCACY GROUPS, SUCH AS HEALTH CARE FOR ALL WILL BE WORKING ON THAT.

LONGER-TERM IS THE BIG QUESTION.

WILL THESE HOSPITALS CLOSE?

WILL THEY TRANSFER TO NEW OWNERS?

WILL THERE BE FURTHER CONSOLIDATION IN THE STATE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM?

WHICH ALREADY IS PRETTY MUCH DOMINATED BY BIG CHAINS.

IN THE NEAR-TERM, NOTHING CHANGES FOR PATIENTS IN MASSACHUSETTS.

IT IS LONGER-TERM THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STILL HAVING QUESTIONS ABOUT.

SARAYA: I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT WHAT STUART HAD TO SAY FOR ITSELF.

WE HAVE THIS STATEMENT FROM THE CEO WHO SAID THE PRIMARY FACTOR IN THE BANKRUPTCY FILING IS "DUE TO STEWARD CONTINUING TO FACE CHALLENGES CREATED BY INSUFFICIENT REIMBURSEMENT BY GOVERNMENT PAYERS AS A RESULT OF DECREASING REIMBURSEMENT RATES WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, FACING SKYROCKETING LABOR COSTS, INCREASE MATERIAL AND OPERATIONAL COSTS DUE TO INFLATION, AND THE CONTINUED IMPACTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC."

WHO IS BUYING THAT?

KATIE: IT IS TRUE IN A LOT OF THESE CHALLENGES PERSIST IN THE HEALTH SYSTEM BROADLY.

IT IS NOT JUST STEWARD.

IT IS SOMETHING WE HEAR FROM THE LEADERSHIP OF COMMUNITY HOSPITALS ALL OVER THE STATE.

WHO IS BUYING IT?

NOT THE GOVERNOR, PER SE.

WHO DID SAY THIS MORNING THAT SHE IS GLAD TO SEE THAT WHEN IT MOVES INTO BANKRUPTCY COURT, STEWARD OFFICIALS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LIE ANYMORE.

SHE WAS RESPONDING TO A PART OF THEIR STATEMENT WHERE THEY SAY THEY HAD TO GO FOR BANKRUPTCY BECAUSE A DEAL TO SELL THEIR PHYSICIAN GROUP WAS BEING DELAYED FOR STATE REGULATORS WHO SAY THEY DON’T HAVE THE DOCUMENTS THEY NEED TO FINISH REVIEWING THAT DEAL BETWEEN STEWARD AND THE OTHER COMPANY THAT WANTS TO BUY THEIR PHYSICIAN GROUP.

SARAYA: HENCE THE STATEMENTS ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND HOPING IT BRINGS GREATER OPENNESS.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE LAWS IN THE STATE?

I THINK IN READING YOUR REPORTING TODAY, THE LEGISLATURE IS LOOKING AT FILING SOMETHING.

KATIE: YES.

THE HOUSE IS GOING TO VOTE AS SOON AS NEXT WEEK ON A BILL THAT, WHILE IT WOULD NOT NECESSARILY CHANGE THINGS WITH STEWARD, IT TRIES TO PREVENT SIMILAR SITUATIONS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

THERE ARE PROVISIONS IN THERE INVOLVING HOSPITALS NEEDING TO OWN THE LAND THAT THEIR FACILITIES ARE ON AROUND INCREASING DATA REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, AND PUMPING UP THE PENALTIES FOR HOSPITALS THAT DON’T COMPLY.

IT IS ALSO A BROADER LOOK AT HOW THE STATE WORKS TO CONTAIN HEALTH CARE COSTS.

WHICH, IN 2012, MASSACHUSETTS PASSED WHAT IS -- WHAT WAS CONSIDERED A LOW LANDMARK HEALTH CARE COST CONTROL LAW, ON THE HEELS OF THE ROMNEY CARE LAW THAT MADE HAVE CARE COVERAGE UNIVERSAL HERE.

THEN THEY CAME BACK AND WERE LIKE, WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT THIS COSTS PEOPLE.

WHILE PARTS OF THE LAW HAVE BEEN HERALDED AS A SUCCESS, NATION LEADING EFFORT, ANYONE WHO HAS A PRESCRIPTION, WHO PAYS THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE BILL, WHO NEEDS A SURGERY, KNOWS THAT COSTS ARE STILL UP THERE.

AND A STRUGGLE FOR HOUSEHOLD BUDGETS.

THAT IS SOMETHING, THE IDEA OF RE-LOOKING AT HOW THE STATE HANDLES HEALTH CARE COSTS CONTROL IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT ON BEACON HILL FOR A FEW YEARS, BUT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET DONE.

THIS MIGHT BE THE IMPETUS TO TACKLE THAT.

SARAYA: HOW ABOUT THE FUTURE OF PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTMENT IN HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS?

ANY WORD ON WHAT THIS MIGHT DO FOR THAT?

KATIE: THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS GOTTEN A LOT OF ATTENTION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL FROM BOTH SENATORS ED MARKEY AND ELIZABETH WARREN, WHO HELD A HEARING AT THE STATEHOUSE TO LOOK INTO THAT.

HAVE BOTH BEEN HARSHLY CRITICAL OF STEWARD AND THE PRIVATE EQUITY TRANSACTIONS THAT HAVE GONE ON THERE IN THE PAST.

IS ALSO SOMETHING LAWMAKERS IN THE STATE SENATE AND THROUGHOUT BEACON HILL HAVE EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN.

I DID ASK A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE STATE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY, WHAT SHE THOUGHT ABOUT THAT.

SHE WAS NOT SPEAKING TO ANY PARTICULAR PROPOSAL, BUT SHE DID SAY THAT SHE WORRIES ABOUT ACTING IN HASTE.

BECAUSE THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS BOTH NATIONAL, NOT JUST MASSACHUSETTS, AND EXTREMELY COMPLICATED.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE REALLY CONSIDERED AS A MOVE.

ALL THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES.

I DON’T KNOW WHAT WILL -- WHAT WE WILL ULTIMATELY SEE DONE IN BOSTON OR D.C. SARAYA: FINALLY, ANY WORD ABOUT HOW THE STATE PLANS TO MONITOR THE BANKRUPTCY FILING AS IT GOES THROUGH PROCESS IN TEXAS COURT?

KATIE: RIGHT.

THERE WILL BE LEGAL REPRESENTATION FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

DISSIPATING IN THOSE PROCEEDINGS ON HAND TO MAKE SURE THE STATE’S INTERESTS ARE REPRESENTED.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT 200,000 STEWARD PATIENTS IN MASSACHUSETTS.

16,000 THEREABOUTS JOBS.

IT IS A BIG DEAL FOR MASSACHUSETTS.

THE DISRUPTION THAT COULD PLAY OUT HERE COULD BE BIG.

AND BEYOND THAT, THERE IS STILL MONITORING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF THE HOSPITALS.

ATTORNEY -- THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS LOOKING FOR INSTANCES WHERE LEADERSHIP AT STEWARD HAVE VIOLATED LAWS.

A LOT OF EYES ON STEWARD AND WHAT IS NEXT ON ALL FRONTS.

SARAYA: WILL BE THERE COVERING ALL OF IT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

KATIE: THANK YOU.

SARAYA: VISIT FOR TONIGHT.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW.

I AM SARAYA WINTERSMITH.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> HEY, FOLKS.

EDGAR HERE, WHERE YOU ASK QUESTIONS AND I FIND ANSWERS.

TODAY’S QUESTION CAME OUR WAY ON TWITTER FROM EMILY WORDEN.

AND I FIRST SAW THIS QUESTION, I WAS LIKE, THAT IS SO GOOD.

IKER WAVES DO ALL SOUND THE SAME THEN I WAS LIKE, WAIT A MINUTE, DO THEY SOUND EXACTLY THE SAME?

I KNOW THEY SOUND ALIKE, BUT EXACTLY THE SAME?

?

LET’S PUT IT TO THE TEST.

OK.

I QUICKLY GOT MY HANDS ON EVERY MICROWAVE I COULD FIND OUT WGBH.

MY APOLOGIES TO JAMES IN ACCOUNTING.

I WILL SET THEM ALL TO FIVE SECONDS AND THEN I WILL PUT THEM ON AND SUCCESSION.

WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO HEAR A BUNCH OF TONES AT THE SAME TIME.

THAT SHOULD GIVE US A SENSE OF IF THEY ARE EXACTLY THE SAME OR NOT.

YEP.

THEY ARE ALL RIGHT THEREBETWEEN B AND B SHARP.

NOT EXACTLY THE SAME, BUT PRETTY DARN SIMILAR.

IT TURNS OUT, THERE IS A REASON FOR THAT.

POPCORN.

FOR DECADES, THE SAME PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY WAS USED IN NEARLY ALL MICROWAVES TO GENERATE THAT CLASSIC MICROWAVE SOUND.

A LITTLE DEVICE CALLED A PIEZO ELECTRIC BUZZER.

>>>> IT IS ESSENTIALLY A MEMBRANE THAT VIBRATES AND IS ELECTRICALLY CHARGED AND VIBRATES TO CREATE A SOUND.

VERY SIMILAR TO THE WAY A SPEAKER WORKS.

EDGAR: IT WAS FIRST DESCRIBED BY PIERRE AND JACQUES CURIE BACK IN 1880.

IT IS ESSENTIALLY AN ELECTRIC CHARGE THAT CAN ACCUMULATE WHEN PHYSICAL PRESSURE IS APPLIED.

THAT PART PIEZO COMES FROM A GREEK WORD MEANING PRESS OR SQUEEZE.

THE ELECTRIC AS HER HARNESSES THE CHARGE TO GENERATE THAT SIMPLE BEEP.

IT WAS FIRST BROUGHT TO MARKET BY JAPANESE MANUFACTURERS IN THE 1950’S, AND QUICKLY PROVED TO BE A WORLDWIDE HIT.

ON THE ONE HAND, THEY ARE PRETTY VERSATILE, USE NOT JUST IN MICROWAVES BUT ALSO SMOKE ALARMS, AND TIMERS, AND ALL SORTS OF GADGETS.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THEY ARE EXTREMELY LIMITED IN WHAT >> THEY CAN DO.

WE COULD SET THE FREQUENCY, BUT WE COULD NOT DO MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

THE FREQUENCY AND LENGTH OF THAT WAS ABOUT ALL WE HAD AVAILABLE TO US.

EDGAR: THIS IS WHY FOR DECADES, NEARLY ALL MICROWAVES HAVE SOUNDED THE SAME.

BUT TODAY, IT IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALLGAME THANKS TO DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPED MAINLY FOR MOBILE PHONES, THERE ARE ABOUT -- A VERITABLE SYMPHONY OF SOUNDS IS AVAILABLE LITERALLY AT A TOUCH OF A BUTTON.

>> THAT LITTLE BEEP AT THE END, IT IS A LOT MORE ORGANIC, MORE MUSICAL.

AND IT IS A LOT MORE SETTLED AND NUANCED.

EDGAR: THIS NEW WORLD ORDER DOES PRESENT SOME CHALLENGES.

AFTER ALL OF THAT ICON ONLY IF BEEP MAY NOT BE SPELLBINDING, BUT IT IS DEEPLY FAMILIAR.

DESIGNERS LAKE HUGHES HAVE TO COME UP WITH JUST THE RIGHT COMBINATION OF BEEPS AND BLURPS THAT SAYS, HEY, YOUR POPCORN IS READY, JUST AS EFFECTIVELY.

>> THAT IS THE MAIN OBJECTIVE WE ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.

COMMUNICATE TO YOU IN A MEANINGFUL WAY, IN A THOUGHTFUL WAY, THAT YOUR TEST IS COMPLETE.

EDGAR: DON’T FORGET TO LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU ARE CURIOUS ABOUT.

BECAUSE AS YOU CAN SEE, I MIGHT JUST LOOK INTO IT FOR YOU.

STAY CURIOUS OUT THERE.

SEE?

THAT WAS IT, THOUGH.

ALRIGHT YOU’VE GOT TO GO BACK.

YOU HAVE TO THROW IT A LITTLE BIT BACK.

THAT’S THE TECHNIQUE -- THAT’S THE TECHNIQUE.

>> THE CURIOSITY DESK