ASTON, PA — The Senate Democratic Policy Committee convened on Monday, March 10, to address a pressing issue in Pennsylvania’s healthcare landscape: the growing threat of hospital closures, with a particular focus on the potential shutdown of Crozer Health facilities. The hearing, led by Policy Chair Senator Nick Miller, examined the far-reaching implications of such closures on public health, local economies, and access to care.
“The potential closure of Crozer Health highlights the critical need for better strategic planning to safeguard our healthcare infrastructure,” said Senator Miller, emphasizing the urgency of the issue. Crozer Health, a key provider for thousands in Delaware County, faces uncertain prospects as concerns mount over private equity ownership practices.
Senator John Kane underscored the risks posed by private equity in healthcare, describing their business model as “predatory” and calling for legislative reforms to ban such ownership in the sector. “Hospitals like Crozer Chester are lifelines for our community, and protecting access to quality care must take precedence over profits.”
The closure of Crozer’s facilities, including Crozer Chester Medical Center, was described by Senator Anthony Williams as a “crisis” that could create a healthcare desert, leaving residents without critical medical services. Beyond patient care, panelists warned of economic fallout, with job losses and financial instability looming for families and vendors alike.
Kristen Rodack, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, highlighted how closures threaten community stability across the state. “Hospitals cannot be reduced to mere assets in a for-profit model,” Rodack stated, calling for stronger oversight to prevent irresponsible closures.
Healthcare workers and advocates also voiced their concerns. Peggy Malone, RN, of PASNAP, described the strain of underfunded and understaffed healthcare systems on medical professionals. Dr. Richard Hamilton, Chair of Emergency Medicine at Crozer-Chester Medical Center, warned that closures put vital patient-provider relationships at risk, while Mary Bugbee of the Private Equity Stakeholder Project pointed to the opaque and debt-heavy strategies employed by private equity firms as key contributors to instability in the sector.
The hearing featured testimony from a range of healthcare experts, advocacy groups, and policymakers, all of whom emphasized the need for immediate legislative action to protect healthcare access and preserve critical hospital services across Pennsylvania communities. Senator Miller committed to ongoing discussions to ensure Pennsylvania residents retain access to reliable, nearby healthcare for years to come.
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