Crozer hospitals remain open as talks continue

Talks on how to save Crozer Health System in Delaware County are set to continue Thursday as its future remains unclear.

Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital remain open Thursday morning after the hospital’s owners, Prospect Medical Holdings, told a Texas bankruptcy judge Tuesday that it needed $9 million by Wednesday at 4 p.m. to cover payroll and keep the hospitals open for another two weeks.

Prospect said if the money was not received, closure proceedings for the hospitals would begin by midnight Thursday.

After a day full of meetings, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office released an update on negotiations.

“Efforts to secure the $9 million remain ongoing. We have been assured a closure notice will not be issued today,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said in a statement.

Negotiations have been ongoing for weeks as Prospect has said it would close the hospitals several times since filing for bankruptcy in January. Just weeks ago, the county, state, and Foundation for Delaware County put up $40 million in total to avoid a closure.

Now the jobs of the health systems nearly 3,200 employees remain on the line.

According to officials, if the hospital does begin closure proceedings, current hospital patients would be moved to other facilities.

Prospect says the $9 million is just the start as more money will be needed to develop a long-term solution, according to the Inquirer.

While many say getting the money is only a temporary fix, hospital staff say they’re praying hard that the funds can be found.

“It’s only gonna buy us two weeks, but the option is closing, which can never be an option for this community,” said Peggy Malone with the Crozer Chester Nurses Association. “We know that we have got to get this hospital system sold.”

Another court hearing is set for Thursday at 4 p.m.

Residents looking for updates and resources can call the Delaware County Health Department Wellness Line at (484) 276-2100 or click here.