Bernie Sanders pitches $20B hospital bailout plan

Ayla Ellison -

Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders has proposed a plan to create a federal fund to assist struggling hospitals, according to CNN.

The Vermont senator pitched the plan during a speech July 15 at a rally to save Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia. Hahnemann's for-profit owner is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy and plans to close the hospital in September.

"I will be very soon introducing legislation in the Senate to establish a $20 billion emergency trust fund to help states and local communities purchase hospitals that are in financial distress," Mr. Sanders said, according to CNN. "In my view, any time a hospital is put up for sale in America, the local community or the state must have the right to buy it first with emergency financial assistance."

Hahnemann University Hospital is winding down services as it prepares to close. The hospital's maternity ward ceased operations on July 12, and the hospital will stop admitting patients through its emergency room on July 17.

Mr. Sanders told CBS Philly he hopes city leaders can use court filings to derail Hahnemann's closure.

Access the full CNN article here.

Access the full CBS Philly article here.

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