The University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia has denied reports that it is in negotiations to acquire Upland-based Crozer Health but it is involved in discussions to maintain access to care in the community, a spokesperson for the system confirmed to Becker’s.
“We are actively working with a range of partners to explore potential solutions to ensure care continuity for patients in southern Delaware County,” a spokesperson for the system told Becker’s. “A successful plan will require funding commitments and assistance from multiple stakeholders, including health systems, the state, county and foundations.”
The comment is at odds with what attorneys representing Prospect Medical Holdings, Crozer’s for-profit owner, told a bankruptcy judge during a March 24 hearing, according to CBS News Philadelphia.
Prospect’s bankruptcy attorney Bill Curtin told the judge that progress had been made toward a long-term solution for Crozer that “will be a partnership between Delaware County and Penn [Medicine] with support from the Commonwealth and other parties,” according to the report.
Los Angeles-based Prospect in early March shared plans to close Crozer’s two remaining hospitals. The health system filed for Chapter 11 protection in January and has been working to offload 10 of its 16 hospitals in multiple states.
Neither Prospect nor Delaware County responded to Becker’s request for comment.
More details may be available at a hearing scheduled for March 26.
