Delco Council Gets More Examples Of Crisis Caused By Hospital Closings — Two women at the Aug. 20 meeting of Delaware County (Pa) Council addressed the consequences of closing four major hospitals in the last year.
Peggy Malone, who was a behavioral health nurse at Crozer Chester Medical Center, spoke on behalf of the 2,700 workers there who lost their jobs when it closed four months ago.
She expressed relief that behavioral health services were returning to the community and asked if the crisis stabilization unit would be similar to the robust in-patient unit at Crozer.
The provider, Belmont Behavioral Health Services, made a presentation earlier that night.
Belmont is a Philadelphia-based limited liability corporation.
Ms. Malone was told no, confirming that no-inpatient unit is expected soon in the county.
She asked that Council make a commitment to prioritize hiring those laid off at Crozer.
She noted that many still have not been able to find jobs.
Jamie from Lansdowne who is part of Put People First! Pa noted that 21 other hospitals have closed in Pennsylvania besides the four in Delco.
She it was a crime to watch now vacant Crozer decay.
She says we are in a period of abundance and that the scarcity narrative is false.
Jamie said the poor neighbors are being especially hit hard by decreased options for medical care.
“We need urgent and comprehensive solutions,” she said. “We don’t need little micro-hospitals.”
She said hospitals should not be profit-based and expressed concern about the motivations of Belmont, which, as noted, is a limited liability corporation.
In other words, it’s for profit.
Jamie said that the laid-off workers from all four hospitals be prioritized in any hiring by Belmont.
