Representative Mindy Domb Calls on Baystate Medical to Fulfill Commitment to Patients
Image via Baystate Medical Center
(AMHERST, MA) – Representative Mindy Domb (D-Amherst) is calling on Baystate Health to fulfill its commitment to patients affected by Baystate’s decision to terminate its pediatric gender affirming healthcare services and ensure continuity of care. She is also calling on them to disclose the conditions that need to exist to allow them to restore these services.
In February 2026, when Baystate Health announced its decision, the hospital expressed its commitment to continuity of care for these patients in partnership with Transhealth. At the time, they provided patients with written information on how to transfer their medical care and access services. Domb noted that despite what appeared to be their good intentions, only 50 of the 250 affected patients have connected with Transhealth to date.
In a recent letter to Peter Banko, President and CEO of Baystate Health, Domb described the need to revisit Baystate’s actions to ensure continuity of care for the remaining 200 families. Banko’s response indicated he believes that providing information about accessing Transhealth services at the time of the closure fulfilled their legal obligation.
He stated, “It is important to note that we did not terminate these patients, and, given legal and regulatory constraints, we did not and should not be making referrals. We stopped providing the service and provided a warm handoff to another community provider who continued to provide the service. If the patients are no longer ours, we are not legally permitted to contact former patients to see if, and where, they are getting care.”
“There are many reasons why patients may not have followed up on the information from Baystate, but what is clear is that Baystate’s initial referral has failed. We need to understand the status of the remaining 200 patients,” Domb said. “The response from President Banko is deeply disappointing and contradicts the hospital’s initial announcement, making that announcement appear wholly insincere. We’re told that Baystate intended to do a “warm hand off” and instead they are giving these patients the cold shoulder. It troubles me that Baystate would seem to be relying on what they are calling their legal responsibility, rather than their ethical obligation to patients and families in western Massachusetts,” Domb said.
“I believe the hospital has an ethical responsibility to close the loop on these referrals. To do so they need to take immediate steps to understand where families are receiving care. At the time, they boasted they had developed a partnership with Transhealth to mitigate adverse effects of the decision and shield themselves from criticism. We felt fortunate that Transhealth could accommodate an increase in patients, but after eight months it is clear Baystate did not fulfill its commitment to our community,” Domb said.
In a letter sent to President Banko, Rep. Domb urged the hospital to take immediate steps to fulfill their commitment to ensure continuity of care. She wrote, “As of today, I believe the hospital’s initial referral has been shown to be ineffective and the low completion rate suggests an inadequate process.” Domb suggested the following actions: 1) assess the results of the initial referral and determine how many patients have not connected with any care, 2) assess how many have not connected because of a lack of information or support, and 3) ensure a successful transition of care for these families.
“It’s been eight months since the letter was sent notifying families of the termination of services. As of today, the hospital’s referral process has failed and they have given the community no indication of when the service will be restored. I call on Baystate to take the necessary steps to complete its commitment to these families in addition to telling the community what conditions need to be in place in order for them to reopen these services,” Domb said.
“Our medical system is complex, and Baystate has an ethical obligation to follow up with these families and ensure continuity of gender affirming health care for their patients,” she said.
Transhealth is a western Massachusetts based organization dedicated to providing gender-affirming primary care and specialty care. Transhealth has availability to take pediatric patients for primary or specialty care, and adults for gender affirming care, with short wait times. Telehealth or in-person appointments are also available, and most insurances, including MassHealth are accepted.
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Ruby McElhone Yates
Legislative Director
Office of Representative Mindy Domb, 3rd Hampshire District
Ruby.McElhoneYates@mahouse.gov
(she/her/hers)