ALLENTOWN, Dec. 19 –State Rep. Peter Schweyer today issued the following statement following the news of the proposed merger with Lehigh Valley Health Network and Jefferson University Hospitals.

“I was an employee of Sacred Heart Hospital, an independent healthcare provider, that merged with another healthcare network.  I understand that consolidations can be worrisome to neighborhoods, patients, and employees.  But, when done right, mergers can mean quality patient care remains, jobs are not lost, and communities see economic development and investment.

The news today of Lehigh Valley Health Network announcing their proposed merger with Jefferson University Hospital, no doubt has many of us wondering what this may mean to the thousands of employees of LVHN and the patients of one of the many LVHN practices throughout the Greater Lehigh Valley.

I will continue to communicate with LVHN through this process and do everything possible to ensure the LVHN staff have job security and that the quality of care and healthcare provider-patient relationships we all have come to expect remain intact.”

 

Jefferson – LVHN announcement:

Jefferson, Lehigh Valley Health Network sign non-binding letter of intent to combine, creating a leading regional health care system, including a national research university and a not-for-profit expanded health plan

Information provided to TVL by:
Thomas LeClair
Research Analyst
House Democratic Education Committee

 

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