Closing Crozer Health hospitals in Pennsylvania could harm nearby businesses, owners say
The closure of Crozer Health, Delaware County's largest hospital system, is leaving a void in health care in the county, resulting in thousands of layoffs and increasing pressure on emergency medical services. It's also impacting businesses near the hospitals slated for closure.
Sam & Sam Meats is a supermarket half a mile away from Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland.
The owner, Samuel Kushto, said he often sees customers walking in wearing scrubs.
"Crozer is a big part of my business," Kushto said. "A lot of good people come in here all the time, and they shop."
But Kushto fears hospital employees won't be coming to his supermarket much longer. A total of 2,651 Crozer Health employees are set to lose their jobs starting Friday.
"I really don't know how big of a hit it's going to be until it happens," Kushto said. "I'm sure it's going to affect me and it's going to affect my employees a little bit because if I lose business, then I got to cut back."
Another business affected is Dolan's Bar, just 500 feet away from Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park. The owner, P.J. Dolan, estimated that 10% to 20% of his customers are either Taylor Hospital employees or their spouses.
"We'll no longer be getting that revenue after they get done working," Dolan said. "They won't be stopping in for a drink. A lot of these people live out of the area and take SEPTA or an Uber home. So it affects all of that. The taxes are lost."
As the ripple effect of the closure begins to be felt, Dolan is waiting for a response to a letter he sent to the CEO of Prospect Medical Holdings, the parent company of the Crozer Health hospitals. Dolan asked Prospect to sponsor his upcoming fundraiser so that he can host a goodbye party for hospital employees.
"Fingers crossed," Dolan said. "Highly doubt it, but we're going to give it a shot anyway."
He and many others are still grappling with the staggering impact of the impending closure, with hope waning that the hospitals can be saved.
