Delaware County Council issued a health disaster declaration after Crozer Health collapsed more than a year ago.

On Wednesday evening, the council voted unanimously to end the declaration, writes Kenny Cooper for WHYY.  

“At this juncture, all of our municipalities have contractual arrangements in place for emergency medical services. I’m sure that will continue to evolve, but there’s really no need to keep the disaster declaration going,” said Delaware County Councilmember Christine Reuther.

Crozer Health’s four hospitals provided ambulance coverage to more than half of Delaware County.  That changed when Prospect Medical Holdings filed for bankruptcy in January 2025.

Crozer Health’s two remaining hospitals, Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital, closed in the spring. Delaware County issued a disaster declaration in April 2025 as a way to help communities find other emergency medical services.  

The county, with assistance from The Foundation for Delaware County, helped local towns find funds so they could hire ambulance services.  

“Since that time, all of our communities have been able to establish their own contracts,” said Barbara O’Malley, county executive director.

There are still issues. Hospital ambulance trips are three times longer than in 2018, and patients wait longer in emergency rooms at hospitals farther from home.

Read more about the lifting of Delaware County’s disaster declaration at WHYY.

Editor’s Note: This post was initially published on DELCO.Today in February 2026.