House approves oversight measure aimed at private-equity transactions in health care after extended debate

The Pennsylvania House on Tuesday approved House Bill 14 60, a measure intended to give the state Attorney General greater authority to review and monitor for-profit and private-equity transactions involving health care facilities. The final floor vote recorded was 121 yeas to 82 nays.

Representative Borowski, the bill’s sponsor from Delaware County, framed the measure as a corrective response to recent hospital closures and private-equity acquisitions that, supporters said, resulted in asset stripping and reduced services. “This is a first step toward addressing the issue of for profit and private equity transactions in health care facilities,” Borowski said on the floor, referencing recent closures in Delaware County that removed acute care hospital capacity.

Supporters argued the bill does not ban private equity, but requires transparency and review to ensure transactions do not reduce access to care, lower quality, or transfer assets out of communities. Representative Williams (Chester/Delaware County) described a scene at a press conference where a child in need arrived at a closed emergency room and had to be transported to another hospital, saying, “People are dying in Delaware County.”

Opponents, including Representative Zimmerman and Representative Topper, warned the bill could deter private investment in some facilities — including ambulatory surgery centers and rural providers — and potentially worsen access where private capital has been used to sustain local services. Debate also included concerns about thresholds and coverage of facility types.

The House adopted the measure after amendments on the floor reduced aspects of the original proposal; floor sponsors said the language had been narrowed to address concerns raised during stakeholder meetings.

Why it matters: Lawmakers cited recent hospital closures and nursing-home ownership models tied to private equity as evidence of systemic risk to access and quality. The bill creates a statutory mechanism for state review and, where warranted, monitoring of transactions that could affect patient care and community services.

Key details - Action: Final passage of House Bill 14 60, yeas 121, nays 82; bill sent to the Senate for concurrence. - Sponsor: Representative Borowski (maker of the bill on the House floor). - Scope: Requires AG review and monitoring of some private-equity and for-profit health care transactions; does not enact an outright ban.

Outlook: The Senate will receive the bill for concurrence; supporters said they would continue work to strengthen protections in later amendments if necessary.