Crozer bankruptcy shines light on expense to patients and staff

Rep. Leanne Krueger January 14, 2025 | 3:54 PM

PA Representative Leanne Krueger banner image

Dear neighbor,

As you may have heard, Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Crozer Health System, declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Saturday night, triggering a restructuring of Prospect’s network of hospitals including Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Taylor Hospital and the previously closed Springfield and Delaware County Memorial hospitals.

While I’m disappointed by this latest maneuver by the for-profit system, I am not surprised. Prospect has repeatedly put its investors and shareholders before patient care and medical staff for years, creating a crisis in our community that has put patients, families and frontline health care workers at risk for their health, lives and livelihood.

Delaware County’s state legislators and elected county officials held a press conference yesterday to call on Prospect and its creditors to make all possible efforts to maintain services and operations at Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital while restructuring in bankruptcy and to prioritize the needs of Crozer’s dedicated staff who have heroically served Delaware County patients and families while Prospect let conditions and resources deteriorate to this point. Yesterday we reintroduced legislation that passed the PA House last session but stalled in the Senate to provide oversight and accountability during hospital closures and consolidation. We are also working with the office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General on every legal angle to hold Prospect accountable. Governor Josh Shapiro’s office has been very involved in the contingency planning and shares my priority of keeping all services open at Crozer-Chester Medical Center.

You can read our full statement regarding Prospect’s bankruptcy declaration here.

While working to hold Prospect and its former owners accountable for their financial looting of Crozer, the delegation and county leaders have worked to secure state and federal funding to support health services in Delaware County, including at Crozer, the new County Department of Health, and other health providers serving the county. If anyone has a question about the bankruptcy proceedings and how it affects current health care services, Delaware County Council has directed residents to call the Health Department Wellness Line at 484-276-2100.

I will keep you updated as Prospect’s legal proceeding and our efforts move forward.

IN HARRISBURG

109th Pennsylvania Farm Show

I LOVE the Pennsylvania Farm Show! Wendell and I attended last week and look forward to it every January. At this year's 109th Pennsylvania Farm Show I participated in the Celebrity Feed Scurry for the second time. Wendy from my District Office was my Mucker (the person who lifts bales of hay onto the sled). It was a fun experience, and the Percheron horses who pulled our sled were amazing. Snuggling with baby goats from Steinmetz Family Farm was our favorite afternoon activity. If you’ve never made the trip, put the Farm Show on your PA Bucket List! From delicious food to interesting exhibits, exciting competitions, fun activities and more, there's something there for everyone.

Act Now if You Need Health Insurance

Pennie, the state’s health insurance marketplace, is closing its open enrollment for the 2025 coverage year on Wednesday for coverage starting on Feb. 1.

Up until Wednesday, Jan. 15, individuals and families can enroll in health insurance plans, make changes to their existing coverage, or renew their current plans. It is a critical time to ensure you have the necessary health coverage for the year.

Pennie can connect you to local, certified experts who can walk you through every step of the way. For more information on Pennie, visit pennie.com or call the Pennie Customer Service at 1-844-844-8040.

Saving and Paying for Higher Education

PHEAA is hosting a series of webinars from now through March designed to assist families who are looking to learn more about the tools available for them to afford tuition for higher education. Learn more about each seminar and sign up for them here.

IN THE DISTRICT

Fair Acres Geriatric Center Campus Tour

On Friday I joined fellow Delco delegation legislators on a tour of the Fair Acres Geriatric Center to learn more about what it takes to run this high-quality, skilled-nursing facility in our county and to discuss the challenges they face when it comes to staffing and funding. I am grateful to Delaware County Council for their work in ensuring this essential care in our community while I work in Harrisburg to ensure the state funding necessary to support our seniors and senior facilities. Thank you to Bill D’Amico and his staff for a great visit!

District Office Closed for MLK Jr. Holiday on Monday, Jan. 20

My district office in Brookhaven will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Please call the office at 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net if you need assistance with state government-related programs or have any questions. My dedicated staff will return your phone call or email when we reopen.

UPCOMING MOBILE OFFICE HOURS

I offer mobile office hours at multiple locations throughout the district to ensure that everyone I represent has access to the services my office provides. Check my email each week for upcoming days and hours.

Upland Borough on Tuesday, Jan. 21

UPCOMING EVENTS

Fraud Protection and Information Seminar
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16
Kinder Park Community Lounge in Woodlyn

I’m partnering with Sen. Tim Kearney, Delco’s Housing Authority, the District Attorney’s Office and Victim’s Services to host a fraud-protection and information event for residents. Start the new year on the right foot by learning how to protect yourself from fraud and scams.

Dog Licensing Event
3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21
Brookhaven Municipal Center

All dogs three months or older must be licensed under state law. It’s also the most effective way to ensure their safety. My office is here to help get your dog licensed! Registration for my Jan. 21 licensing event is required. Please call my office at 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net to register.

Right to Know Webinar
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28

I’m partnering with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records to host a virtual workshop. This is an opportunity for constituents to interact with experts from the PA Office of Open Records and learn how to use the Right to Know Law and how to file a successful Right to Know request. Please call my office at 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net to register and receive the webinar link.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

? Media Fellowship House and the Media Area NAACP 36th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration on Sunday, Jan. 19

Sunday, Jan. 19
Program: 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Community Dinner: 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
First Church Media, 350 W. State St., Media, PA 1906
Learn more and register at https://mediafellowshiphouse.org/event/mlk2025/.

? Foundation for Delaware County Events

If you are looking for a place to volunteer or an event to attend on Monday, the Foundation for Delaware County has several opportunities available. Go here for the list of events happening now through Monday.

? Delco’s 3rd Annual MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20

Breakfast and Opening Ceremony: 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. | Union Yards at Subaru Park, 12 Reaney St., Chester.

Women's Health Clinic/Fair: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Primepoint Club located inside Subaru Park,1 Stadium Drive, Chester.

Peace March: 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. | Union Yards at Subaru Park, 12 Reaney St., Chester, to CAAT Center (2300 W. 4th St.)

Community Projects: 1–3 p.m. | A variety of community building events, art projects and lunch will take place, concluding with remarks and conversations with elected officials and community leaders at the CAAT Center.

Residents are invited to register at DelcoPA.Gov/MLK. Registration is not required but highly encouraged to help organizers and volunteers appropriately prepare. When registering, please select the events you plan to attend.