Released: August 6, 2025
Former Crozer patients were charged $35-$75 for their own medical records, Council filed letter denouncing charges.
Delaware County, PA — The Delaware County community, still reeling from the sudden closures of Taylor Hospital on April 26, 2025, and Crozer‑Chester Medical Center on May 2, 2025, will finally see relief from the outrageous fees imposed on former Crozer Health patients to access their own medical records.
After the closures, medical records were briefly available without charge, but beginning July 9 former patients were suddenly required to pay $35 to receive records by email and $75 for a USB or memory stick mailed to their home or physician’s office. Paper copies—the format most accessible to many older adults—were not offered. The fees sparked anger and disbelief among residents, particularly seniors and families already navigating the loss of local hospitals and the upheaval of Prospect Medical Holdings’ bankruptcy.
“These fees were outrageous and should never have existed,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “Our residents, especially our seniors, have already endured the loss of vital health care services. To then be forced to fight for access to their own medical records is unconscionable.”
Last week, Delaware County Council formally sent a letter to the court overseeing Prospect’s bankruptcy, urging that the medical record fees be waived for at least three months and that funding be set aside to help residents unable to pay. That advocacy, combined with the persistent efforts of community stakeholders, helped highlight the unacceptable burden these fees placed on patients.
Thanks to The Foundation for Delaware County, with broad support from community stakeholders, a solution has been reached to eliminate these fees and allow patients to access their records free of charge. While Delaware County Council and the Health Department were not parties to the settlement, they have fought for residents from the start, publicly condemning the fees and pressing for relief through community pressure and engagement in the bankruptcy process.
To help residents overcome the confusion and obstacles created by the hospital closures and the new medical record fees, the Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) launched its “Navigating Our Healthcare System for Seniors” outreach series at local senior centers. Public health staff assisted older adults with navigating online portals, completing request forms, and securing digital copies of their medical records. Scores of residents have already received hands‑on support through these sessions, highlighting the critical role of DCHD’s outreach amid the disruption caused by the Crozer closures.
“We have seen firsthand the toll this is taking,” said Council Vice Chair Richard Womack. “At our first help session after the fees went into effect, several seniors walked away without their records because they could not afford to pay. For a company that has already abandoned this community, it is unconscionable to put up one more barrier for patients.”
Beyond medical record support, Delaware County has helped health care workers displaced by the closures. Through the Office of Workforce Development, Council has helped organized job fairs, career counseling, and rapid‑response services to connect former Crozer employees with new opportunities and keep critical health care talent in the community.
Building a better future is at the core of County Council’s long‑range response. Council has funded the deployment of four additional Advanced Life Support ambulances across Delaware County to mitigate emergency response gaps following Crozer’s closure. Mental health services have been significantly expanded through mobile crisis response, outpatient and psychiatric rehabilitation programs, and a 24/7 peer support warm line, helping stabilize residents during this time of instability.
“This agreement is a victory for our residents,” said DCHD Director Lora Siegmann Werner. “Far too many seniors and families were left confused, anxious, and burdened by these fees. We are grateful to The Foundation for Delaware County and our community partners for helping bring relief.”
“The harm caused by Prospect Medical Holdings has been profound,” said Councilmember Christine Reuther. “We are grateful to The Foundation for Delaware County for stepping up to protect residents and to our Workforce Development team for supporting the employees left behind. Delaware County will always fight for its residents, even when corporate neglect forces these battles to play out in court.”
Councilmember Elaine Paul Schaefer emphasized that while the resolution is welcome, Council remains focused on building a better future. “Prospect may have walked away, but Delaware County has not,” Schaefer said. “We are working every day to close the gaps left behind and strengthen the health care system our residents depend on. This is about building a local system that prioritizes patients over profits.”
Councilmember Kevin Madden highlighted the importance of the community response. “Charging our residents $35 or $75 to access their own medical records was indefensible,” Madden said. “We are grateful to The Foundation for Delaware County and to all the community stakeholders who stepped up to ensure our residents finally get the access they deserve.”
Residents seeking help with medical record requests or other health services can contact the Delaware County Health Department’s Wellness Line at (484) 276 - 2100 or by email at DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us, or visit DCHD’s website at DelcoPA.Gov/Health .