Sudden Chesco Hospital Closures Prompts New Bill

CHESTER COUNTY —State Rep. Dan Williams, a Chester County Democrat, is hosting a discussion on proposed legislation to prevent sudden closures of hospitals without oversight.

The legislation was introduced in response to the closures of Jennersville and Brandywine hospitals in southeastern Chester County.

The discussion is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Brandywine Hospital, 201 Reeceville Road, Coatesville.

Williams said the spike in hospital consolidations in southeastern Pennsylvania suggests the need to ensure residents have stability in their health care infrastructure coverage.

Tower Health closed Brandywine Hospital near Coatesville on Jan. 31 and Jennersville Hospital, Penn Township, closed on Dec. 31, 2021.

Jennersville Hospital was purchased in June by Christiana Care, based in Wilmington, DE. A date for the reopening has not been provided.

The bill was introduced by Williams, and Reps. Kristine C. Howard and Melissa L. Shusterman, also Democrats representing Chester County.

“We, as legislators, need to do better to protect our residents and front-line workers from loss of care or employment,” the lawmakers said in a memorandum.

The lawmakers said in the memorandum that in the midst of a global pandemic, these closures are especially worrisome.

The proposed bill would require the state Department of Health’s approval for future hospital closures, as well as introduce price transparency requirements.

The bill would require price transparency from hospital or hospital systems so that patients have full access to the costs of items and services provided.