RIDLEY PARK, Pa. (WPVI) -- Delaware County officials say Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc. may be closing both Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Chester and Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park later this month.
Officials said Prospect made that announcement in court.
The exact date of the closures remains fluid as the company continues through bankruptcy proceedings.
In a news conference Thursday, the community expressed outrage over thousands of jobs that would be lost and patients whose care would be in jeopardy.
"These people do not have a voice. They have nowhere to go, and they deserve quality health care like every other American," said Peggy Malone, president of the Crozer-Chester Nurses Association.
"Prospect came to our town, bought Crozer, broke out healthcare system, and paid themselves hundreds of millions of dollars to do it," said Dr. Monica Taylor. "There is no place in healthcare for private equity."
The California for-profit owner of the health system filed for bankruptcy protection in January, and had been sued by the Pennsylvania attorney general last year, with the AG citing the company's mismanagement and neglect of crozer health.
Then, last month, a federal judge in Texas signed an agreement as a temporary solution to keep Delaware County's largest health system operating for the next 30 days. It was done with the hope that the health system and the state would have more time to form a long-term plan.
However, officials from Prospect informed a bankruptcy court on Thursday that there is only enough money to keep the hospitals open through March 14, according to the Delaware County Council.
State lawmakers are now calling for accountability.
"Today, we stay together to call the attorney general yet again to file charges to hold Prospect accountable," said Rep. Leann Krueger.
In a statement, Attorney General Dave Sunday said in part that the closure is an "avoidable travesty," and his office is engaged in doing what it takes to save the health care system.
One nurse says things have not been the same under Prospect's ownership.
"They promised they would not close hospitals. They closed Delaware County Hospital, they closed Springfield Hospital, [and ]they closed the operating room at Taylor. All they've done is take services away; they've done nothing to help the system," said Bonnie Broderick, of Boothwyn.
Members of the Delaware County Legislative Delegation called this a full-blown crisis that endangers emergency services along the I-95 corridor, guts maternal healthcare, and piles even more pressure onto already overburdened hospitals.
The judge ordered all parties to keep negotiating. A meeting is set for Sunday.
"It's a sad day in Delaware county but I will tell you it's not over yet. We're still in this fight. We're still going to stay strong," said Sen. Timothy Kearney.
Delaware County government recently created a dedicated website, DelcoPA.Gov/Prospect, to keep residents up to date on the status of Prospect-owned hospitals, Prospect's bankruptcy, and additional resources available to residents. Residents are also encouraged to use the Delaware County Health Department Wellness Line at (484)-276-2100.
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