Crozer Health is Closing: Our Community Deserves Better
We are devastated that, despite the efforts of many partners, a deal could not be reached to save the Crozer Health System. Healthcare in our community is in crisis. For four years, The Foundation for Delaware County has been fighting on behalf of residents to protect access to essential healthcare services.
Our decision to invest a $20 million lifeline to keep the hospitals open during negotiations was not made lightly, but it was necessary. This decision reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring access to quality healthcare for our community. We know that providing additional healthcare services for even a few weeks saved lives.
The Foundation has always been committed to strengthening the health and well-being of Delaware County. As the administrator for several maternal health programs that support new and expecting parents, including three WIC clinics, and the Nurse-Family Partnership and Healthy Start home visiting programs, we serve many families in the neighborhoods surrounding these hospitals. The closure of two more hospitals will significantly reduce emergency healthcare options. It will also make it harder for people to attend doctors’ appointments and access vital medical services, including maternity care.
Our maternal health team has been working closely with County Council President Dr. Monica Taylor and healthcare leaders for months. We are grateful to Riddle Hospital, Nemours, and CHOP for planning for a significant increase in births and pediatric care, and to all our region’s health systems for partnering with the Delaware County Health Department to coordinate and implement an emergency plan that our citizens will need now that Crozer Health is closing.
Hospital closures threaten rural, suburban, and urban communities across Pennsylvania. Our state legislature must push for laws that prevent private equity from draining our state’s health systems now and in the future. We also urge our U.S. Senators and Congressional representatives to oppose cuts to Medicaid. Without adequate reimbursement, more hospitals will be forced into the hands of for-profit buyers—putting lives at risk.
This trend must not continue. Our community – and every community – deserves access to high-quality, sustainable healthcare.
