Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have announced that their decision to partner includes plans to construct a freestanding inpatient cancer hospital in Boston at an estimated cost of $1.68 billion.
The systems announced the Dana-Farber Beth Israel Deaconess Cancer Collaboration on Sept. 14. Under the agreement, the proposed 300-bed adult cancer hospital will operate under the license of Dana-Farber while each organization remains independent — including executive leadership, boards of trustees and philanthropy.
Laurie Glimcher, MD, president and CEO of Dana-Farber, and Kevin Tabb, MD, president and CEO of Beth Israel Lahey Health, discussed the plans in an editorial board meeting with The Boston Globe on Oct. 10, saying they made significant efforts to continue working with Boston-based Brigham and Women's Hospital, which Dana-Farber has been clinically affiliated since 1997. Ultimately, Dana-Farber sought a new partner.
"When I arrived as CEO about seven years ago, we opened conversations with the Brigham at that point," Dr. Glimcher told the Globe's editorial board. "Building a cancer-only hospital was our priority. However, after many discussions over the course of many years, it became increasingly, increasingly clear that our visions for the future of cancer care did not align with the Brigham."
The proposed adult cancer hospital will measure approximately 688,100 square feet, according to a legal notice obtained by the Boston Business Journal. It will be constructed in the Longwood Medical Area of Boston and connect to Dana-Farber's existing facility. Dana-Farber plans to move 30 of its licensed beds out of Brigham and Women's, which is part of Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham.
According to the Globe, Mass General Brigham has indicated a commitment to keeping the number of beds it currently has dedicated to cancer care amid the Dana-Farber and Beth Israel plans. Dana-Farber and Beth Israel executives told the newspaper they are committed to proving to regulators that their plan will reduce healthcare spending.