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Residents and commissioners flag concern about potential hospital closures; county to monitor developments
Summary
Public commenters and a commissioner raised concern about the possible closure or sale of Moses Taylor and Regional hospitals and the potential impact on local health care access; commissioners said they are monitoring the situation and attending stakeholder meetings.
During public comment at the Dec. 18 Lackawanna County commissioners meeting, residents raised concerns about access to health care if two local hospitals — Moses Taylor and Regional Hospital — were to close or change ownership.
Joan Hodowan of Scranton asked whether the county audit for 2023 would be released in the first quarter and noted she had attended a town hall on the possible closure of Moses Taylor and Regional. She said multiple government representatives indicated a potential buyer could come forward and warned that if the hospitals closed, access to care in the county could be strained. “If they don’t sell them off, I’m pretty sure that CHS is gonna just close the doors,” she said, describing the potential impact on access to care and employment.
Commissioner Chermack, who attended the town hall, told the meeting he had hopes a buyer would emerge and said county leaders are following developments. Chermack noted personal concerns — including family considerations — and urged continued attention to the issue.
The comments in the meeting were expressions of concern and did not propose a specific county action. Commissioners acknowledged the situation and said they would remain in communication with regional stakeholders. No formal board action or vote on hospital ownership or closure occurred at the Dec. 18 meeting.
