SCRANTON, Pa. — After months of hoping that a sale would go through, many hospital staff in attendance at this meeting are now living in uncertainty.
"It is heartbreaking, and I just hope that someone does come forward to be able to help us," said Dawn Kramer, an employee at Scranton Regional Hospital.
In late July, Commonwealth Health announced it would be selling Wilkes-Barre General, Scranton Regional, and Moses Taylor to a company called Woodbridge Healthcare.
"Ultimately, that sale could not be finalized; Woodbridge was not able to secure the funds necessary to purchase the hospitals," said Emma Mangel, an Intensive Care Unit Nurse at Scranton Regional.
Which leaves the future of Moses Taylor and Scranton Regional undetermined.
"About 70% of births here in Lackawanna county occur at regional demand for patient beds would exceed the capacity by 25%; this is literally not possible,” said Joanna Rosenhein, a consumer engagement manager at Pennsylvania Health Access Network.
“In emergencies or when you need hospital-based care, you will be in a system that already has enormous strain."
At a town hall meeting in Scranton, legislators expressed their dismay about the problem and their confidence in fixing it.
"People will die, children, elderly will die if this doesn't happen," said State Sen. Marty Flynn.
"I'm confident that we will come to a solution to make sure the doors to this hospital stay open and keep those doors open for our community,” said State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski.
The governor's office says they're getting closer to a solution.
"There are actual providers, and there are two in line that are really interested and I'm hoping we have an answer incredibly soon," said Drew Popish, the Northeast Regional Director for Gov. Shapiro’s office.
However, until it's set in stone, everything's still up in the air.
“These are the roots of Scranton that we're trying to uphold while trying to figure everything out. So, it's just extremely overwhelming," said Mangel.
Commonwealth Health will continue to operate Wilkes-Barre General. Legislators have been told they may find out who the potential buyer for Regional and Moses-Taylor will be by the end of the year.