Crozer-Chester Medical Center update, plus programs and upcoming events

Rep. Leanne Krueger January 21, 2025 | 4:28 PM

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Dear neighbor,

I am grateful to the local medical professionals and patients who have reached out to me or my office to share their experiences on the ground at Crozer-Chester Medical Center since Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc. filed for bankruptcy ten days ago. My staff and I are tracking every call and email we get and escalating the most serious concerns directly to the Governor’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office. Please continue to reach out to share your experiences – I can be a better advocate when I get reports from the people who are on the ground.

This morning I was on another briefing call with the Governor’s Office and Attorney General’s Office. The Attorney General’s Office is currently in court fighting to get Crozer-Chester Medical Center turned over to a temporary receiver, which is similar to the litigation they filed in October, but they now have to argue the case in bankruptcy court in Texas because that is where Prospect decided to file for bankruptcy. We all share the goal of getting control out of Prospect’s hands so the hospital can be converted back to a non-profit system where decisions are not being made by private equity executives who only care about maximizing their profits. I will continue to keep you apprised of what is happening with Crozer through this weekly email.

In the meantime, anyone who has a question about the bankruptcy proceedings and impact on current health care services can call the Delaware County Health Department Wellness Line at 484-276-2100.

IN THE DISTRICT

PA MEDI Counselors in My Office

Last week my office held our first PA MEDI counseling sessions for 2025. The PA MEDI Program is a FREE health insurance counseling program designed to help all Pennsylvanians with Medicare.

Deb, our trained and highly knowledgeable PA MEDI counselor, is available to meet with you for one hour to answer all your questions about Medicare. Appointments are available in my Brookhaven office every second Wednesday of the month from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

If you have questions about Medicare or if you will be applying for Medicare in 2025, call my office at 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net schedule your appointment. We book up quickly.

Counselors can help with:

Medicare
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)
Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap)
Plan Comparisons
Medicaid
Applying for Financial Assistance Programs
Medicare Appeals
Long-Term Care Insurance

Fraud Prevention and Information

Thank you to our presenters from the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office and Delaware County Victim’s Servies for sharing tips last Thursday at Kinder Park in Ridley Township on how to avoid scams and prevent fraud. Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it even more difficult to identify them. We caution everyone to be careful with your account details and to not click on suspicious links in text messages.

State Film Commissioner Visits Hedgerow Theatre Company

Gino Pesi, Pennsylvania’s Film Commissioner, and Kevin Rowland, chief financial officer with the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, visited Delaware County on Friday for an impactful discussion on the economic benefits of the film industry in our region and the Commonwealth.

Organized by the Delaware County Economic Development Corporation and hosted at the beautiful Hedgerow Theatre Company in Rose Valley, this event was a collaboration with Visit Delco PA and our state and county delegation. Together, we explored how story telling can create jobs, boost local businesses and contribute to the growth of Delaware County’s economy.

After our meeting, we stopped by the Media Theatre to celebrate the opening night of Delco The Movie! Producer Leah Cevoli first learned that her film was eligible for a film tax credit when she attended a session I hosted at Sun Center Studios in Chester Township last year in partnership with Laura Goodrich Cairns and the Delaware County Economic Development Corporation. Congrats to Leah and Sun Valley High School alumni and Film Director Chris Pierdomenico on a sold-out opening weekend! I’m so excited that the film tax credit helped make this project possible!

PROGRAM NEWS AND INFORMATION

PA Property Tax/Rent Rabate Program Open

Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Renate Program has made it easier for seniors and others here in Delaware County to stay in their homes and afford the necessities of life. My office helps hundreds of our neighbors apply for the program each year.

The program is open to income-eligible seniors 65 and older, widows and widowers 50 and older and people 18 and older with permanent disabilities.

The application period to apply for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2024 is now open, and my staff and I are here to help you find out if you are eligible and to apply for your rebate. Thanks to legislation I voted for in 2023, more and more people are eligible and the rebates are bigger than ever.

Please call my Brookhaven office at 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net to make an appointment for help. While you’re with us, we’ll see what other state programs and services are available for you.

Delaware County Real Estate Tax Deferral Program

Delaware County’s Real Estate Tax Deferral Program is designed to help eligible homeowners manage increases in real estate taxes caused by millage rate changes. This program allows qualified homeowners to defer (postpone) tax increases, with the deferred amount becoming a lien on the property. Deferred taxes are repaid only when the property is sold, transferred, or upon the death of the claimant, unless paid earlier voluntarily.

There is no cost to participate in the program, and eligible homeowners must meet the following criteria:

Have a household income of $46,520 or less.
Own and occupy the property as a primary residence for at least 12 months.
Maintain fire or casualty insurance coverage equal to or exceeding the amount of deferred taxes.
Have no outstanding property taxes or special assessments.
Written approval is also required from a spouse (if filing jointly) or Trustee (if held in a qualifying Trust).

Visit Delco’s tax help page for more information.

Direct File for FREE in PA

More than 2 million Pennsylvanians are now eligible to use Direct File, the IRS's tool that allows you to file your federal and state tax returns online securely and for FREE. The IRS launched this tool last year, but 2025 will be the first year PA residents can use it.

Check to see if you will be eligible to use Direct File to file this year’s personal income tax returns at https://directfile.irs.gov/.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTURE LEADERS

The PA House of Representatives Scholarship Program is now open for applications. The program provides four-year scholarships to two high school seniors per year to be used toward the cost of tuition and fees for a four-year program at a college, university or career school in Pennsylvania.

Please click here for eligibility criteria and to apply. Applications are due by Tuesday, April 15.

Applications also are being accepted for the 2025 Spring Semester of the PA House of Representatives Fellowship Program. Fellows work in our beautiful state Capitol building and are assigned to work in House committees or leadership offices, compensated for their work (which may also include college credit), provided opportunities to draft and present their own legislation, and much more.

Apply by Saturday, March 1. View eligibility criteria and apply here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

PA 529 and PHEAA Discuss Options to Cover the Gap Webinar
Noon on Wednesday, Jan. 22

Learn how to plan for financial success as you seek a postsecondary education with an extra emphasis on saving via a 529 plan. This webinar also briefly covers best practices (such as seeking grants and scholarships first), the primary methods of keeping school related-debt to a minimum, and additional resources (such as school-based tuition payment plans). The webinar discusses private/alternative loans as a last resort. Register at https://pheaa.org/virtual/.

Right to Know Webinar
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28

I’m partnering with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records to host a virtual workshop where constituents can interact with experts from the PA Office of Open Records and learn how to use the Right-to-Know Law and how to file a successful Right-to-Know request. Please email RepKrueger@pahouse.net to register and receive the webinar link.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

CPR Training on Monday, Feb. 10

Delaware County residents have an opportunity to become certified in Basic Life Support CPR through the Delco Revive program. Coordinated by the Delaware County Health Department and supported in part by funds from the County’s Opioid Settlement, Delco Revive provides essential life-saving training to help residents respond to emergencies effectively.

The class will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10 at the Delaware County Wellness Center, located at 125 Chester Ave., Yeadon.

Registration is required by February 6, 2025. To register, contact the Delaware County Wellness Line at 484-276-2100 or email DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us.