State Rep.: Philadelphia hospital closure could leave 1,100 employees without jobs

North Philadelphia Health System will close 146-bed St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia in March as the health system consolidates operations. The hospital closure has community members outraged, including Pennsylvania State Rep. Curtis Thomas (D-Philadelphia).

In December, the health system announced plans to close St. Joseph's Hospital March 31. Rep. Thomas told CBS Philadelphia he was "outraged" and "extremely troubled" by news that the hospital was closing.

When NPHS announced the closure, the system said up to 675 workers may be laid off, but Rep. Thomas claims the hospital shutdown will have a much greater impact.

"Along with the situation facing the patients, we have 1,100 employees that would be out of work," Rep. Thomas told CBS Philadelphia.  

To help ease the pain of the closure, Rep. Thomas said his office is asking that the hospital's closure date be moved back 30 days. He's also requesting that all employees are ensured alternative employment, according to the report.

An NPHS spokesman told CBS Philadelphia the health system is working with multiple parties, including unions and other healthcare organizations, to try and minimize the impact of the closure on employees. The health system is also trying to move some workers to its Girard Medical Center campus in Philadelphia.

NPHS did not immediately return a call for comment Friday.

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