Governor Josh Shapiro is urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass the newly introduced Health System Protection Act, aimed at curbing predatory private equity practices in the state’s health care system. The bill, championed by Senator Tim Kearney and Representative Lisa Borowski, follows the devastating closure of Crozer Health by Prospect Medical Holdings, which left over 3,000 workers without jobs and Delaware County residents without critical care services.
Speaking at Crozer-Chester Medical Center alongside health care workers and local leaders, Shapiro warned that unchecked private equity is gutting hospitals, laying off workers, and creating health care deserts. “We must prevent the next Crozer,” he said, calling the legislation a necessary step to protect Pennsylvanians.
The act would ban sale-leaseback schemes, empower the Attorney General to block harmful acquisitions, and shield hospitals and nursing homes from exploitative deals that prioritize profit over patients.
Dr. Max Cooper, a former Crozer ER physician, shared the tragic consequence of the hospital’s closure: “A young man died after being shot near here. If Crozer were open, we could have saved him.”
Nurse Peggy Malone called the closure a nightmare: “We let the wolf in the door. Never again.”
Support for the bill is widespread, with local officials decrying private equity’s role in decimating Pennsylvania’s health infrastructure. “This is a simple story about greed,” said Dr. Monica Taylor of the Delaware County Council.
Representative Borowski emphasized the urgency: “This is our moment to show Pennsylvanians we won’t relent until we’ve protected their access to care.”
The legislation is slated for a House vote in early June.
Source: www.pa.gov