Dear neighbor,
The fight to prevent a closure at Crozer-Chester Medical Center has been a rollercoaster for everyone involved, but most especially for the dedicated nurses, doctors, paramedics and all the other staff who provide patient care in challenging conditions. We finally saw good news last week when the bankruptcy judge signed a motion to put a receiver in charge and to remove control from Prospect Medical Holdings, the California-based hedge fund that has extracted resources from our hospital system to enrich itself.
What happens next is a 30-day window for the receiver to evaluate the financial condition and the needs of the system moving forward. Despite previous announcements from Prospect and Crozer about a sale, the system has not yet been sold and next steps depend on what the receiver finds and future hearings by the bankruptcy judge in Texas. I am cautiously optimistic that we have avoided the disorderly closure that elected officials have been working at all levels to prevent. I am grateful to Gov. Josh Shapiro and Attorney General David Sunday for working in partnership with our Delco delegation of legislators and County Council to get to this point.
In his state budget address last week, Gov. Shapiro called for the legislature to pass bills to prevent private equity firms from devastating our health care system. Last session the PA House passed legislation I co-sponsored that would require advanced notice of proposed hospital and health system sales, mergers and acquisitions to the state attorney general, granting the office stronger oversight to review them carefully with the community’s best interest at the forefront. That bill unfortunately stalled in the Senate.
I’m proud to co-sponsor the legislation again this session and will be fighting hard to get it signed into law this year.
|
This session I am serving on the House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee, and I participated in an informational meeting last week on the Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). We have received a lot of calls from seniors over the last few weeks concerned about whether Executive Orders at the federal level will affect their access to Medicare, Medicaid and Meals on Wheels. I asked the experts who testified about whether they’re concerned about potential cuts to these programs. Watch here:
|
As a reminder, here's how to reach our federal lawmakers.
You can reach Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon’s office by calling 610-626-2020 or by visiting scanlon.house.gov. You can start a case file to address an issue with a federal agency by filling out the Privacy Release Form linked on her website. A listing of her satellite office hours can be found here.
You can reach Senator David McCormick’s Office at 202-224-6324. You can reach Senator John Fetterman’s Office at 202-224-4254.
|
$194,000 for Area Fire, EMS Companies
|
Our dedicated firefighters and emergency service companies deserve the best resources to protect our communities. Today I am thrilled to announce that several local fire departments and emergency medical service providers in our district were awarded grants from Pennsylvania’s Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program for their vital work. I am pleased to work with our local companies to help them realize these funding opportunities so they can continue to protect our neighbors in need.
|
Love Boxes at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
|
Last Saturday, my son and I volunteered at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Wallingford, where their volunteer team packed almost 400 Love Boxes, which raise money for the Share the Love Scholarship Program to fund scholarships for Chester-Upland High School graduates. This program is a great example of a local faith community reaching out to serve their neighbors.
|
Aston Mills Arts Receives State Loan
|
On Friday I visited Aston Mills to celebrate the loan-interest state loan that Veronica Batter received to upgrade and install the HVAC system. Aston Mills Arts is a community of professional fine artists located in the Rockdale Arts District in Aston Township, and it is truly a hidden gem in Delco.
Delaware County Economic Development Corporation assists small businesses with low-interest loans to cover working capital, purchase machinery and equipment or purchase commercial land/building. To learn more about resources and programs for businesses, visit their homepage.
|
Office Closed on Monday, Feb. 17
|
My office will be closed on Monday, Feb. 17 in observance of Presidents’ Day. Please call the office at 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net if you need assistance with state government-related programs or have any questions.
|
UPCOMING MOBILE OFFICE HOURS
|
I offer mobile office hours at multiple locations throughout the district to ensure that everyone I represent has access to the services my office provides. We look forward to seeing you at the location that is most convenient for you.
|
DCHA Kinder Park on Thursday, February 13
|
Upland Borough at McQueen Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 18
|
American Legion Post 777 on Thursday, Feb 20
|
Filing for Unemployment Compensation Workshop
Wednesday, Feb. 19
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
PA CareerLink Center
706 Crosby Street, Suite B, Chester
|
Property Tax/ Rent Rebate Event on Friday, Feb. 28
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Episcopal Place at Park Rox
421 W 24th St., Chester, 19013
|
REAL ID Townhall on Tuesday, March 4
3 p.m.
Brookhaven Municipal Center
2 Cambridge Road, Brookhaven, 19015
|
Medicare Updates Webinar on Wednesday, March 12
6 p.m. online
Call my office at 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net to get the webinar link.
|
Property Tax/ Rent Rebate Event on Friday, March 14
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Trinity Health at DCHA Kinder Park
1857 Constitution Ave., Woodlyn, 19094
|
Property Tax/ Rent Rebate Event on Thursday, March 27
12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Village Green Mobile Home Community
1000 Park Ave., Aston, 19014
|
February is National Financial Aid Awareness Month, and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency is holding special webinars in February and March to help students and their parents learn about financial aid.
These sessions will cover topics such as how to apply for different types of financial aid, how to review financial aid offers, and financial aid options for non-traditional students, and more.
Click here to register for any of these informative sessions. You also may view previously recorded webinars by clicking here and selecting the “View Event Recordings” link in the right corner.
|
Cultivating Synergy Between Higher Education and Delco Businesses
|
A new program designed to help local businesses build relationships with higher education institutions will kick off on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at The Inn at Villanova University. This event, open to all Delaware County businesses, will explore the vital role higher education plays in our economy. The program will also highlight ways Delaware County’s higher education institutions and local businesses can work together to create a stronger talent pipeline and better job opportunities for students.
Businesses will learn how to engage with campuses, create meaningful internship programs, and address their workforce needs. The event underscores the mutual benefits of aligning educational initiatives with the demands of the job market, ensuring students are better prepared to transition into fulfilling careers while supporting local economic growth.
Register here: https://web.delcochamber.org/atlas/events/62359/details.
|
As always, please feel free to reach out to my office for help with any state-related issues.
Sincerely,
|
Rep. Leanne Krueger
161st District, Delaware County
|
Pennsylvania State Capitol
512-E Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 705-2567
|
Brookhaven District Office
115 E. Brookhaven Rd.
Brookhaven, PA 19015
(610) 534-6880
|
|