May 15, 2025 - Chester, PA
Governor Josh Shapiro visited Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Delaware County to highlight his Administration's plan to protect Pennsylvanians' access to health care by reforming the way private equity operates in the Commonwealth. The visit follows Prospect Medical Holdings' closure of Crozer Health, which has left more than 3,000 health care workers out of work.Standing alongside health care workers, local leaders, and affected community members, the Governor laid out his Administration's work to support impacted workers, maintain essential emergency services, and hold private equity firms accountable. He also urged the General Assembly to pass the Health System Protection Act - newly-introduced legislation that would stop exploitative private equity practices and empower Pennsylvania's Attorney General to block bad deals that threaten access to care. This legislation reflects the Governor's call to reform the way private equity has infected our health care system during his budget address.Governor Shapiro also announced new action to support the region, including $1 million in new funding in coordination with the Delaware County delegation, to maintain emergency medical services (EMS) in Delaware County - ensuring they remain available and responsive to the community's needs - and promised ongoing oversight by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which is managing an orderly and safe wind-down of services."Private equity has no place in our health care system. We've seen what happens when corporate raiders like Prospect Medical Holdings prioritize profits over patients - families lose access to care, health care workers lose their jobs, and communities across the Commonwealth suffer," said Governor Shapiro. "Private equity raided Crozer, lined their pockets, and gutted the system - leaving Chester residents and those living in the region without care, putting their lives at risk. We cannot allow for-profit companies to treat our hospitals like piggy banks they can smash and walk away from. We've taken action to help those affected - but to protect communities across our Commonwealth, we need to take real action and change the laws that allow private equity to raid our health care system and threaten Pennsylvanians' livelihoods. It's time to act and get this done."Speaker list:Peggy Malone, President of Crozer-Chester Nurses AssociationDr. Max Cooper, Crozer ER doctorGovernor Josh ShapiroDr. Monica Taylor, Delaware County Council ChairwomanSenator Tim KearneyRepresentative Lisa BorowskiRepresentative Leanne Krueger
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