Pennsylvania’s new budget includes financial assistance for Riddle and Mercy Fitzgerald Hospitals in Delaware County.
In Pennsylvania, the recently passed state budget allocates million in supplemental payments to two Delaware County hospitals, addressing increased patient volumes following the closure of Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital earlier this year. The funding aims to support hospitals that are experiencing heightened demand for healthcare services in the region.
Riddle Hospital, part of the Main Line Health system and located near Media, will receive million, while Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, operated by Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic in Darby, has been allocated million. These measures were prompted by the significant uptick in emergency department visits at Riddle Hospital, which has reported a 46% increase over the same period last year, equating to nearly 4,000 additional patients since the closure of Crozer Health facilities in April.
According to Main Line Health, the organization has treated approximately 55,000 new patients from the Crozer market, representing a 15% rise compared to the previous year. Notably, this includes around 8,000 individuals who sought care at a Main Line facility for the first time, underscoring the regional shift in patient care dynamics.
The response from Trinity Health regarding the funding allocation was not immediately available. As hospitals like Riddle and Mercy Fitzgerald strive to accommodate the influx of patients, efforts are also being made to potentially reinstate healthcare services at Taylor Hospital in Ridley. Local investors recently acquired the facility for million and are actively seeking to attract a nonprofit health system to revive hospital services.
In addition, a New Jersey-based group known as Chariot Allaire Partners LLC has secured the former Crozer-Chester Medical Center for million but has not yet shared its intentions for the site, which had long served as an essential healthcare provider in a low-income section of Delaware County. Furthermore, a partnership between Restorative Health Foundation and Syan Investments successfully obtained Springfield Hospital for million, though their plans are hampered by a lack of support from township officials.
Overall, these developments reflect a critical shift in healthcare access and resource allocation in Delaware County, as hospitals adapt to the challenges posed by recent facility closures and demand for services continues to grow. The million budget provision is a pivotal step toward stabilizing the healthcare system in this region for the foreseeable future.
