12,000 Pa. healthcare workers would share if $28.5M settlements are approved

WILLIAMSPORT — A federal judge has been asked to give preliminary approval to two settlements totaling $28.5 million to resolve a lawsuit over an alleged secret agreement between two central Pennsylvania healthcare providers not to poach each other’s employees.

If approved by U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann, approximately 12,000 healthcare workers would share in $19 million to be paid by Geisinger and $9.5 million to be paid by the former Evangelical Community Hospital near Lewisburg.

Evangelical was an independent hospital at the time. It became part of York-based WellSpan Health in July 2024.

The settlements would cover those employed by the two healthcare systems in Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Montour, Lycoming, and Columbia counties from Jan. 1, 2014, through Aug. 5