HARRISBURG — State leaders tried and failed in 2025 to create a law intended to disrupt a vicious and heartbreaking cycle of hospital purchases and closures across Pennsylvania, but negotiations to get it done in 2026 are underway.

Recent hospital closures that occurred following a merger, acquisition or change of ownership include Sharon Regional Medical Center in Mercer County, Heritage Valley Kennedy in Allegheny County, and Crozer Chester Medical Center in Delaware County. Sharon Regional later reopened under a different owner.

A Pennsylvania Health Access Network analysis found at least 32 hospitals have fully closed since 2004 and that 1 in 3 hospital mergers and acquisitions lead to a full or partial closure.

“We know that we have a real crisis,” said Democratic state Rep. Dan Fr

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