Penn Medicine Plans To Open A VA Hospital In Chester County

COATESVILLE, PA —The University of Pennsylvania Health System has terminated its agreement with Tower Health to buy Brandywine Hospital in Coatesville, officials said Friday.

The hospital system is ending its agreement because of the inability to “build out the infrastructure for the project,” according to a statement from Penn Medicine.

Tower Health closed the hospital on Jan. 31, 2022.

Penn planned to open a Veterans Affairs Medical Center at the Brandywine facility through its partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The U.S. Veterans Affairs Department and Penn agreed to work on a plan to replace aging Philadelphia and Coatesville veterans' hospitals.

Penn said Friday that it is looking to purchase a different property in Chester County to execute the plan for veterans, but did not provide a location or timeline.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recommended in a report issued on March 14 to close the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center in an overall plan to close 35 hospitals in 21 states and build 14 new ones.

Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe issued a joint statement saying they are disappointed that the Brandywine Hospital property did not meet Penn Medicine’s requirements but excited that Penn Medicine remains committed to bringing emergency and acute care to the Coatesville area.

The commissioners said they will continue to support Penn Medicine’s plans as they seek an alternative location.

"In every way that we can, we are working with many partners to ensure everyone in the greater Coatesville area has equitable healthcare options and access," the commissioners said.