Delaware County Passes Ordinance Preventing Hospitals From Suspending Services Without 6 Months' Notice
DELAWARE COUNTY, Pa. (CBS) -- A major emergency response in Delaware County. The council is taking action after Crozer Health announced it's shutting down more services.
The Delaware County Council unanimously approved an emergency ordinance aimed at ensuring that medical providers don't leave residents in their communities high and dry.
In the last six months alone, the four-hospital health system Crozer Health has closed vital medical units either permanently or temporarily.
And last week, Crozer sent seven communities letters stating their emergency services would be shut down in 90 days unless those communities negotiates to pay Crozer by this Friday.
"It is not an exaggeration to say that Delaware County is facing an emergency here," Councilmember Kevin Madden said.
Those on the council voting on the measure did not mince their words.
"The idea of a for-profit provider using a short timeframe of change that would have such a significant impact on the population as a means of extracting further recompense is something we cannot accept," Madden said.
"Ten days is not a lot of time, especially with municipalities that have already set their tax rates for the year and certainly weren't budgeting on having to support an ambulance," Christine Reuther said.
Also present was Crozer President and CEO Kevin Spiegel, who explained that the company was $20 million upside down and facing increased staffing costs and medical supply costs.
"All we really went to them to talk about is that we need funding," Spiegel said.
This emergency ordinance now requires notice of intent to close or suspend services 180 days ahead of time, along with a closure plan sent to the health department 120 days ahead of time.
Back in February, Wilmington-based ChristianaCare signed a letter of intent to acquire Crozer.
