State legislators responded to a budget amendment from State Rep. Craig Williams (R-160) of Chadds Ford to create a $200 million Hospital Acquisition Assistance Fund to entice potential buyers of the Crozer-Chester Medical Center property to reopen it as a hospital.
Rep. Williams said the fund would not require a tax increase or revenues because it would be funded by previous unspent budget appropriations, writes Kathleen E. Carey for the Daily Times.
Legislators appreciated Williams’ efforts to save the hospital and wanted to hear more details. However, Delaware County House Democrats pointed out that the proposed $200 million hospital fund isn’t actually unspent dollars and would take money away from medical assistance.
“It’s already allocated to the Medical Assistance (MA) managed care program through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, which provides health care coverage for most of the 3 million Pennsylvanians enrolled in MA,” read a statement from the Delaware County delegation.
Diverting funds from the program would jeopardize vulnerable residents, “especially as we face the additional threat of harmful Medicaid cuts,” the statement read.
Williams wants the fund set up quickly before the property goes to the highest bidder, who may not want a hospital there.
Find out more reaction to Rep. Craig’s amendment proposal in the Daily Times.
