ASTON, PA − March 10, 2025 − On March 10 at 2 PM EST, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller held a hearing to examine the impact of hospital closures in Pennsylvania, focusing on potential declines in public health, economic growth, and community services.
“It was crucial to hold this hearing today in light of the potential closure of the Crozer Health system, which highlighted the need for strategic planning to avoid similar situations in the future,” said Senator Miller. “We must work together and explore the most effective ways to meet our healthcare needs, ensuring that all residents in the commonwealth are able to receive localized care from the communities that they live in.”
“The predatory practices of Prospect Medical and private equity firms like it in healthcare have put both essential medical services and healthcare jobs at risk in our community,” said Senator John I. Kane. “My priority is protecting our healthcare workers at Chester Crozer and Taylor Hospital while ensuring continued access to quality care. These hospitals serve as critical lifelines for thousands of Delaware County residents, and I am committed to legislation that will permanently ban private equity firms from purchasing hospitals in Pennsylvania. our community’s health must always come before corporate profits.”
“The proposed closure of Crozer Chester Medical Center is nothing short of a crisis for Delaware County and its community,” said Senator Anthony Williams. “This decision would create a dangerous healthcare desert that puts lives at risk. Beyond the devasting impact on patients, it would also strip hardworking residents of their jobs, destabilizing families and the local economy.”
“The closure of hospitals and suspension of healthcare services throughout the Commonwealth have forced patients to travel greater distances for care, displaced vital staff, and affected retirees and vendors who depend on timely payments. The reckless mismanagement and corporate exploitation by private equity, particularly with the Crozer Health System, have severely damaged our access to healthcare,” said Senator Cappelletti. “After today’s hearing, I am even more convinced that we must take immediate legislative action to prevent this from happening again in Pennsylvania.”
“Across our Commonwealth, we are witnessing the consequences of these practices firsthand: hospitals serving as critical healthcare resources and economic anchors in their communities risk closure, resulting in the loss of good-paying jobs and leaving residents without access to essential care,” said Kristen Rodack, Executive Deputy Secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Health. “These providers cannot be a pawn in a for-profit buy, sell, lease system as we’re seeing – the ramifications are too serious on real people’s lives and livelihoods.”
“We cannot allow corporations to callously hollow out care, then leave,” Peggy Malone, RN from PASNAP said, “And we cannot force nurses and paramedics, pharmacists, and professionals and technicians to carry on their backs healthcare systems that are underfunded, understaffed, and overburdened.”
“Closure of hospitals in geographic location with no reasonably accessible alternate care is irresponsible and places patients’ lives in danger,” said Richard Hamilton, MD, Chair of Emergency of Medicine & Chief Academic Officer at Crozer-Chester Medical Center. “These closures place trusted relationships between patients and providers at risk.”
“Putting profits before patients is not unique to private equity-owned healthcare companies,” said Mary Bugbee from Healthcare Research and Campaign Director for the Private Equity Stakeholder Project (PESP). “But because there’s less transparency around private equity deals and the companies they own, and because private equity firms tend to use more debt than other types of investors to fund their business strategies, the private equity business model can amplify the profit-seeking behaviors that put patients and healthcare workers at risk.”
The panelists for today’s hearing included:
- Kristen Rodack, Executive Deputy Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Health
- Peggy Malone, RN, PASNAP
- Joyann Kroser, MD, President, Medical Staff, Crozer – Taylor & Springfield Hospitals
- Richard Hamilton, Chair of Emergency Medicine & Chief Academic Officer, Crozer-Chester Medical Center
- Lynn Lucas-Fehm, MD, JD, Pennsylvania Medical Society
- Mary Bugbee, M.A., Research & Campaign Director – Healthcare, Private Equity Stakeholder Project
- Patrick Keenan, Director of Policy & Partnerships, Pennsylvania Health Access Network
Senator Nick Miller was elected Policy Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus in December 2024. Today’s hearing was his second as Chair.
Footage of the hearing, as well as the written testimony of the panel, is available at PASenatorMiller.com/Policy. Photographs and downloadable video are available upon request.
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats commitment to protecting our commonwealth’s healthcare needs and other legislative priorities at www.pasenate.com.
*At the time of this release, according to the Office of the Attorney General, an agreement was reached just before today’s hearing that will keep Crozer’s facilities open for the immediate future while its system is restructured.
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Testimony
Panel 1: The Commonwealth’s Outlook
- Kristen Rodack, MSW, LSW, Executive Deputy Secretary, Pennsylvania
Department of Health
Panel II: A Provider’s Perspective
- Peggy Malone, RN, Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses & Allied
Professionals (PASNAP) - Joyann Kroser, MD, President, Medical Staff, Crozer – Taylor & Springfield
Hospitals - Richard Hamilton, MD, Chair of Emergency Medicine & Chief Academic
Officer, Crozer – Chester Medical Center
Panel III: Paths Forward and Legislative Consumer Protections
- Mary Bugbee, M.A., Research & Campaign Director – Healthcare, Private
Equity Stakeholder Project (PESP) - Patrick Keenan, Director of Policy & Partnerships, Pennsylvania Health Access
Network (PHAN)
Written Testimony: