Press Releases
Senator John Kane Reacts to SCOTUS Ruling Striking Down Roe vs. Wade
Harrisburg, PA – June 24, 2022 – Today, Senator John Kane issued the following statement in response to the US Supreme Courts’ decision to overturn Roe v. Wade: “Today’s decision is a devastating rollback of our rights. I’ve continued to say that people will die...
Sen. Kane with Delco Senate and House Delegation Introduce New Bills to Reform Abusive For-Profit Hospital Deals
Delaware County – June 16, 2022 – Today, State Senator Tim Kearney (D-Chester/Delaware) was joined by Senator John Kane, Senator Anthony Williams, Representative Gina H. Curry, Representative Leanne Krueger, Representative Jennifer O’Mara, and Representative Mike Zabel, to discuss new legislation that will prevent financial looting of Pennsylvania hospital systems by private-equity and for-profit companies. The package of bills was created in response to decisions made by Prospect Medical Holdings – the parent company of Crozer Health- to close numerous departments, cut healthcare staff, and discontinue services within several Delaware County hospitals.
“What’s happening with Crozer Health is a tragedy and underscores the need for legislators to work to protect our local healthcare systems from manipulative and predatory private-equity practices in the future,” said Senator Kearney. “We want to give the state more oversight over these transactions and create other policies that deter these bad actors from looting our healthcare systems and then running once the resources vanish. If private equity in healthcare prioritizes investors and protects their assets, then this legislative delegation will work equally as hard to protect our constituents, and the integrity of our health care systems.”
Prospect Medical Holdings and its former majority owner Leonard Green & Partners have a history of abusing healthcare systems to maximize profits for executives and investors and then disregarding the well-being and on-going quality care of patients. Crozer’s financial collapse could have been avoided had there been state protections against irresponsible debt recapitalizations and other financial actions taken by the system’s owners.
“Each time they strike these kinds of deals and real estate splits, they know the end of their scheme will leave communities without access to quality healthcare,” said State Senator Anthony Williams. “We saw this happen with Hahnemann and now we’re seeing it happen with Crozer, by a company that has a history of these despicable actions. At this point, it’s clear Leonard Green & Partners is operating from a playbook that puts profit over people. This legislation will put a stop to that and let any private equity company know people over profit is the only option in Pennsylvania.”
“As a former labor union leader, I know how important it is to keep these essential jobs secure and without the worry of being fired due to corporate greed,” said Senator Kane. “As cancer survivor I have experienced firsthand what a high functioning hospital does to ensure the health and protection of a community. There’s no place for private-equity firms in Pennsylvania and we’re going to make it very painful for them to just bleed us dry and walk away.”
Six Senate bills will be included in the package introduced today. The bills will address:
SB 1270 – For-profit hospital purchase moratorium
SB 1271 – Prohibition of new for-profit hospitals
SB 1272 – State oversight of health system change in ownership
SB 1273 – Minimum severance package for mass layoffs
SB 1274 – Prevention of exploitive real estate splits
SB 1275 – Moratorium of dividends after health system acquisitions
“A healthcare system that prioritizes patients over the interests of private equity firms is the foundation to a healthy community,” said Senator Amanda Cappelletti, who is also a sponsor of the bill package. “Senate Bill 1275 would protect our communities from private equity firms making acquisitions only to extract the resources from the acquired companies and subsequently walk away from the community altogether.”
Each Senate Bill will have a companion bill in the State House. Rep Mike Zabel added, “There is nothing preventing what’s happening with Prospect Medical Holdings from happening again. Let’s not forget that these closures or fire sales not only affect the community at large, but they are also regional employers that impact our economy and the lives of hundreds and thousands of employees. There’s much that’s gone wrong with Crozer; let’s not waste this opportunity to learn from the mistakes and then affect the law in Pennsylvania going forward.”
“Access to life-saving, professional medical care should not be consumed by corporate greed and get rich quick schemes. My colleagues and I will do everything we can to prevent community hospitals from being exploited by for-profit systems,” said Rep. O’Mara.
“In Delaware County, we have seen firsthand what it looks like when a for-profit hospital system puts profits over people,” said Rep. Krueger. “This is why I have introduced legislation that would stop investors from acquiring hospital just to pay themselves massive dividends.”
Representative Curry, Dr. Monica Taylor, Delaware County Council Chair, and Jamie Blair, of Put People First! PA, also spoke during the press conference to call attention to the need for high quality and reliable healthcare in the area.
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Senator Kane Welcomes ChristianaCare with Purchase of Jennersville Hospital
Chester, PA − June 15, 2022 − Today, ChristianaCare announced it will purchase Jennersville Hospital from Tower Health. This West Grove located hospital has been closed since December 31, 2021 but is estimated to be back open within 30-60 days under the ChristianaCare...
Senator Kane Announces Upper Chichester Library Awarded $2 Million from Capital Program
Chester PA − June 14, 2022– Senator John I. Kane announced that in a collaborative effort with State Representative Craig Williams’ office; the Upper Chichester Library will receive a $2 million grant from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. This grant...
Sen. John Kane Announces Over $7 Million for Health and Education Infrastructure
April 27, 2022 – Today, Pennsylvania State Senator John Kane announced $7,170,500 million of Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant funding has been awarded to local projects throughout the 9th Senatorial District in Chester and Delaware Counties....
Senators Kane and Kearney Apprenticeship Fair Brings Out Local Families and Students
SPRINGFIELD, PA – March 23, 2022 – Sens. Tim Kearney (D-Chester/Delaware) and John Kane (D-Delaware/Chester), in partnership with the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) recently hosted an Apprenticeship Fair for eighth grade and high school students at the DCIU Education Center.
Senator Kane Responds to Governor Wolf’s Proposed Budget
Harrisburg, February 8, 2022 – Following Governor Tom Wolf’s annual budget address to the General Assembly, Senator John Kane issued the following statement: “The Governor’s proposed budget is exactly what Pennsylvania needs right now. This budget uses our strong...
Senate Democrats Discuss Proposed Wind Farm Project at Virtual Policy Hearing
HARRISBURG, January 28, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senator John Kane (D-Delaware/Chester) to host a virtual public hearing on the proposed $300 million...
Senator Kane Announces $1 Million for Environmental Conservation in Chester County
Chester – January 24, 2022 – Today, Senator John I. Kane (D-Delaware/Chester) announced $994,992 in grants for several grants to improve conservation in Chester County. The first of these grants, funded through the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG)...
Senate Democrats Discuss Recovery and Treatment Issues at Virtual Policy Hearing
HARRISBURG, January 20, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senator John Kane (D-Delaware/Chester) and Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) to host a...
Senator Kane Announces $300K Grant for Delaware County Apprenticeship Programs
Chester – January 10 2022 – Today, State Senator John I. Kane (D-Delaware/Chester) announced a $297,000 grant for the Chester Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (CJATC). Funded through the Pre-Apprentice and Apprenticeship Grant Program, the grant will...
Senate passes bill to expand broadband access; includes responsible contractor language championed by Senator John Kane
HARRISBURG − December 15, 2021 − The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously passed a bill championed by Senator John Kane (D-Delaware/Chester) to expand access to broadband in unserved and underserved communities. Included in HB 2071 was language Senator Kane negotiated to...
Secretary Jennifer Smith Joins Senator Kane, Delaware County Officials to Highlight Pennsylvania’s Good Samaritan Law
Media, PA – December 7, 2021 − Today, Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) Secretary Jennifer Smith joined Senator Kane, District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, Representative Craig Williams, and representatives from Delaware County agencies and...
Senator Kane announces over $21 million in grants for Delaware and Chester Counties, bringing year total to over $36 million
Chester, PA - December 6, 2021 - Today, Senator Kane announced $21,111,000 in grants for Delaware and Chester Counties, supported through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). RACP grants provide additional state funding for community projects to...
Senator Kane Announces Over $4.1 Million in State Grants for Community Projects in the 9th District
Chester, PA − November 19, 2021 − Senator John I. Kane (D-Delaware, Chester) today announced the award of over $4.1 million in grant funding through the Multimodal Transportation Fund and Act 13’s Greenways, Trails, and Recreation and Watershed Restoration Programs....
Senate Dems Discuss Worker Misclassification Issues at Policy Hearing
PHILADELPHIA − November 15, 2021 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senators Nikil Saval, John Kane, Christine Tartaglione and Lindsey Williams to host a public hearing...
Senator Kane Announces OIver $1.6 million in Grants for Community Organizations
Chester, PA – November 9, 2021 – Senator John I. Kane (D-Delaware/Chester) announced $1,672,250 in grants for community revitalization projects in the 9th Senatorial District through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP). NAP grants support nonprofits, businesses,...
Pa Senate Democrats Call on Republican Colleagues to Take Action on Government Transparency and Accountability Measures
Harrisburg, Pa. − September 22, 2021 − Senators Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny), Katie Muth (D-Chester, Montgomery, and Berks), Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Montgomery and Delaware), John Kane (D-Chester and Delaware), Tim Kearney (D-Chester and Delaware), and Judy...
Senator Kane Introduces Bill to Create Voluntary “Do-Not-Sell Firearm Registry”
Chester, PA – September 20, 2021 – In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, Senator John Kane has introduced legislation aimed at reducing deaths by suicide in Pennsylvania. Senator Kane’s SB 816 will create a voluntary Do-Not-Sell Firearm Registry to reduce...
Senator Kane Announces Over $600,000 for Opioid and Gun Violence Prevention Initiatives
September 10, 2021 - Senator John Kane (D, Delaware and Chester Counties) announced $643,814 has been awarded to Chester and Delaware counties from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). The grants will support public safety and health...
Senate Democrats Urge State Supreme Court to Take Action on Evictions for Tenants with Pending ERAP Applications
PA Senate Dems Host Policy Hearing on Solitary Confinement in PA
Harrisburg – August 10, 2021 - At the request of Senator John Kane (D- Chester/Delaware) and Representative Tina Davis (D- Bucks), the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a hybrid in person and virtual public hearing to discuss the use of solitary...
Senators Kane, Kearney, and A. Williams Urge Extension of Federal Eviction Moratorium
Chester, PA − August 3, 2021 − In a letter to Senators Casey and Toomey and Representatives Scanlon and Houlahan, Senators Kane, Kearney, and Anthony Williams urged Congress to extend the federal eviction moratorium, which ended July 31st. The eviction...
Senator Kane Announces $141,600 Grant for Concord Township
July 7, 2021 – Concord Township, PA – Today, Senator Kane (D, Delaware and Chester Counties) announced a $141,600 grant for corridor improvements on Concord Road. The grants are part of the Green Light-Go program, provided as reimbursements for municipalities for...
Senator Kane Statement on Budget Passage
June 25, 2021 − Chester, PA − Senator John Kane issued the following statement on the 2021-22 budget: "Today, I voted for the proposed budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year. This budget does some good things -- an additional $300 million for education, increased funding...
General Assembly Democrats, Local Leaders Across PA Call for Immediate Action on Toxic and Unsafe School Infrastructure
Statewide, PA − June 11, 2021 -- As the projected state budget surplus surged to $3 billion and more than $7 billion in federal aid remains idled by inaction, Senate & House Democrats gathered in front of local schools across Pennsylvania on Friday to call for...
Senator Kane Announces $200,000 Grant for Silvercare Senior Housing
May 26, 2021 – Senator John Kane (D, Delaware/Chester) today announced Silvercare Senior Housing project in Delaware County will receive a $200,000 grant from the Commonwealth Finance Authority (CFA). The funds will be used to remediate harmful asbestos and mastic...
Senator Kane Hosts Telephone Town Hall on Mental Health
Chester, PA – May 25, 2021 – Last week, state Senator John Kane (D, Delaware/Chester) hosted a telephone town hall highlighting mental health resources available for community members. Over 1000 residents of Delaware and Chester Counties tuned in for the hour-long...
PA Senate Democrats Introduce Spending Plan for $7 Billion in Federal American Rescue Plan Funds – The New Deal For PA
Harrisburg, Pa. – May 12, 2021 – Today, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats unveiled the “New Deal for PA” – a $6.15 billion investment of federal funds coming to the Commonwealth pursuant to the American Rescue Plan. The New Deal for PA focuses on Jobs, Opportunity,...
PA Senate Democrats Hold Policy Hearing on Legionella Prevention
Harrisburg – May 5, 2021 - At the request of Pennsylvania State Senators Wayne D. Fontana (D- Allegheny) and John Kane (D- Chester/Delaware), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a virtual policy hearing on Legionella prevention in Pennsylvania and the concern...
Senator Kane Applauds $45,000 Grant for Digital Literacy
Chester, PA – April 29, 2021 – Senator Kane today announced a $45,000 grant to expand digital literacy in Chester County. The grant, awarded as part of a $1.3 million investment for Digital Literacy and Workforce Development, will fund Full Circle Computing as they...
Senator Kane Applauds $250,000 Grant for Delaware County District Attorney’s Office
Chester, PA – April 21, 2021 – Senator John Kane (D, Delaware/Chester) today applauded the Delaware County District Attorney’s office on receiving a $250,000 grant from the Gaming Control Board’s Local Law Enforcement Grant Program. "I want to congratulate...
Senator Kane Announces $1.2 Million in Grants for Delaware and Chester Counties
Chester, PA – April 21, 2021 – Senator John Kane (D, Delaware/Chester) announced $1,224,000 in grants through the Multimodal Transportation Fund and Act 13. “I’m proud to share that over $1.2 million will be heading back into our communities to support projects...
Senator Kane Announces $2.19 Million Grant for Kennett Township
Birmingham, PA – April 16, 2021 − Senator John Kane (D, Delaware/Chester) congratulated Kennett Township on receiving a $2.19 million grant through the Multimodal Transportation Fund. “I'm excited to announce that Kennett Township will be receiving $2.19 million for...
Southeast PA Senators Urge Equity in Vaccine Distribution, Oppose Proposed Singular Vaccine Site
Chester, PA – March 19, 2021 – Yesterday, a bipartisan group of Senators representing Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties sent a letter to Governor Wolf, Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam, and the members of the COVID-19 Vaccine Joint Task Force,...
Senator Kane Applauds Passage of $1.9 Trillion American Rescue Plan
Chester, PA – March 10, 2021 – State Senator John Kane (D, Delaware/Chester) commended the House passage of the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill. “I'm grateful to the House and Senate for passing the American Rescue Plan,” said Senator Kane....
State Legislators, Advocates, Family Members Urge Governor Wolf to Use Reprieve to Save the Lives of Incarcerated People
CHESTER, PA − March 2, 2021 − In a demonstration of unified support for reprieve, nearly a dozen state legislators gathered outside of State Correctional Institution–Chester (SCI-Chester) to urge Governor Tom Wolf to use his executive power to release incarcerated...
Senator Kane Calls for Answers in Chester County Vaccine Distribution
Chester, PA – February 11, 2021 – Senator John Kane (D, Delaware/Chester) called for answers from the Pennsylvania Department of Health regarding last week’s distribution of vaccines in Chester County. Last week, Chester County received 3,200 vaccine doses, all of...
State Legislators Issue Joint Letter to Governor Wolf Urging Use of Reprieve
HARRISBURG − February 8, 2021 — In response to soaring rates of COVID-19 infection and death among incarcerated people and throughout the Pennsylvania prison system, nearly three dozen State Senators and State Representatives have issued a joint letter to Pennsylvania...
Senator Kane Responds to Proposed Budget
Chester, PA – February 3, 2021 – State Senator John Kane (D-Delaware, Chester) reacted to the Governor’s proposed budget, outlined today in the virtual budget address. “The Governor’s proposed budget is a bold plan to support working families and get our...