Health Care at WHYY News

Philly health organizations partner to expand care, survive looming funding cuts under the Trump administration
The Center for Families and Relationships and Project HOME have partnered to open a new mental health unit in North Philadelphia at the Helen Brown Community Center. (Nicole Leonard, June 4, 2025)

Amy Perez’s legacy inspires domestic violence prevention efforts in Bucks County
Amy’s Kisses Foundation will use proceeds from Sunday’s walk to fund its domestic violence prevention programming. (Emily Neil, May 29, 2025)

50 years after Vietnam War’s end, expanded hepatitis C screening in Philly leads to more veterans cured
The rate of hepatitis C infections is higher among Vietnam War veterans and others who may have been exposed during their service more than 50 years ago. (Nicole Leonard, April 30, 2025)

Philly woman uses her experience with vestibular disorders to increase awareness and support for others
Vestibular disorders is a group of conditions that can include symptoms like dizziness, imbalance, vertigo and hearing loss. (Nicole Leonard, April 7, 2025)

Philly mobile crisis response teams average 20 mental health emergencies a day. Advocates call for expansion
Philly’s community mobile crisis response teams are requesting more funding to meet demand. (Nicole Leonard, March 18, 2025)

Take note of these new health care laws coming to Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware in 2025
State legislatures passed new laws on medical debt, cancer testing, insurance coverage and more. Some will kick in early in the new year. (Nicole Leonard, Dec. 18, 2024)

Palak Raval-Nelson named Philadelphia’s new health commissioner
Raval-Nelson will lead Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health after working for the city for nearly 30 years. (Cory Sharber, Dec. 10, 2024)

How one Philadelphia medical student is learning to be a young caregiver to a parent with dementia
An estimated one in six millennial caregivers are caring for a loved one with a type of dementia, past research has shown. (Nicole Leonard, Dec. 2, 2024)

Medicare open enrollment is just around the corner. Here’s what you need to know when shopping for health plans
Medicare’s annual open enrollment period runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. (Nicole Leonard, Oct. 11, 2024)

Pregnant Philadelphians can still apply to the Philly Joy Bank for cash assistance
Only 111 of 250 spots have been filled as part of the guaranteed income pilot program. Officials hope to fill the remaining spots by the end of the year. (Nicole Leonard, Sept. 30, 2024)

N.J. lawmaker wants to create an office to combat eating disorders
Andrea Katz, who represents Burlington and Atlantic counties, introduced a bill to create the Office of Disordered Eating Prevention within the state’s health department. (David Matthau, Sept. 7, 2024)

‘Draconian’: Delaware’s largest hospital system sues over creation of hospital cost review board
The aim of the new review board is to reduce costs of health care for Delawareans. But ChristianaCare says it’s a state takeover of hospitals. (Sarah Mueller, July 30, 2024)

Temple Health and Keystone First reach new 2-year deal, avoiding disruption for thousands of patients
The current contract between Temple Health and Keystone First health insurance was set to expire after July 31. (Nicole Leonard, July 29, 2024)

Blood tests for Alzheimer’s may be coming to your doctor’s office. Here’s what to know
A Swedish study found blood testing to be more accurate than traditional exams at diagnosing Alzheimer’s. The findings were reported at a conference in Philadelphia on Sunday. (Associated Press, Lauran Neergaard, July 28, 2024)

New Northeast Philadelphia city health center project clears last regulatory hurdle, slated for 2025 construction
Northeast Philadelphia residents and lawmakers say the area has become a health care desert, with few affordable and low-cost options. (Nicole Leonard, June 13, 2024)

Delaware’s first elder abuse sanctuary aims to tackle ‘untalked-about crisis in this country’
The senior living campus near Wilmington is creating a statewide network to give victims “a place where they’re safe from that abuser.” (Cris Barrish, June 7, 2024)

Pa. and N.J. poison control centers see steep rise in exposure calls tied to popular weight-loss drugs
Poison control experts say calls related to GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound are rising, with symptoms like nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. (Nicole Leonard, May 27, 2025)

Montgomery County faith leaders and independent pharmacists bring vaccines to people’s homes with new program
The vaccine program is open to all county residents and offers shots for COVID, flu, RSV and other diseases. (Nicole Leonard, Oct. 8, 2024)

Prevention Point Philadelphia reports more interest in long-acting monthly injectable medication for opioid use disorder
Sublocade is a long-acting form of buprenorphine, a medication for opioid use disorder. It’s given once a month as an injection instead of a daily oral dose. (Nicole Leonard, Sept. 30, 2024)

What ails you? This garden in Kensington mixes a traditional Puerto Rican alcoholado cure
For 40 years, a network of community gardens has kept Puerto Rican folk remedies alive. (Peter Crimmins, Sept. 23, 2024)

Philadelphia-area health experts see shift in attitudes on vaccination in ‘post-COVID’ era
Misinformation, distrust in medical providers, politics and experiences during the height of COVID are playing into people’s views of vaccination, experts say. (Nicole Leonard, Sept. 3, 2024)

Mosquito-borne illnesses discovered throughout Philadelphia region
West Nile virus has been found in mosquitoes in nearly every county in the region, and one case of Eastern equine encephalitis was reported in Atlantic County, New Jersey. (John Paul, Aug. 26, 2024)

A Philly lab reveals how obesity drugs like Ozempic cause nausea
The study focused on semaglutide, the active ingredient in drugs such as Wegovy and Ozempic. It is known to reduce feelings of hunger while increasing feelings of nausea. (Grant Hill, July 17, 2024)

Discontinued asthma medication sends Philly-area patients scrambling, in some cases to the emergency room
Some Philadelphia-area doctors say admissions to intensive care and asthma deaths among children have gone up this year, partly because of supply issues. (Alan Yu, July 9, 2024)

ChristianaCare to acquire former Crozer Health outpatient locations
The pending acquisition includes two facilities in Glen Mills, a location in Havertown, an office in Broomall and a site in Media. (Kenny Cooper, May 28, 2025)

Crozer closure: Delco legislators push Pennsylvania AG to investigate Prospect Medical Holdings
Delaware County lawmakers sent a letter to Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, asking him to “leave no stone unturned in holding” Crozer Health’s owner accountable. (Kenny Cooper, April 29, 2025)

Crozer Health CEO Tony Esposito is stepping down
Crozer Health CEO Tony Esposito shared the announcement with staff Monday. Greg Williams, of parent company Prospect Medical Holdings, will assume his role in the interim. (Kenny Cooper, April 15, 2025)

Prospect to file ‘preliminary’ requests to close remaining Delco hospitals; leaders say ‘no final decision has been made’
Prospect Medical Holdings says it only has enough cash to keep the hospitals up and running through March 14. (Kenny Cooper and Nicole Leonard, March 7, 2025)

N.J. lawmakers want to address the growing shortage of nurses and other health care workers
New Jersey lawmakers are considering a bill to let out-of-state nurses and other health care professionals work without final license approval for a year. (David Matthau, Feb. 20, 2025)

Health workforce shortages, ACA protections, struggling hospitals among early Pa. legislative, budget priorities
Some early session bills in the Pennsylvania legislature align with Gov. Josh Shapiro’s health spending priorities and prepare for possible changes under Trump. (Nicole Leonard, Feb. 6, 2025)

Chestnut Hill Hospital workers say persisting staffing shortages put patient care at risk
Hospital nurses and technicians held a rally to demand better working conditions and staffing levels. (Nicole Leonard, Dec. 5, 2024)

CHA Partners deal to acquire Crozer Health collapses
CHA Partners had signed a letter of intent to purchase the embattled four-hospital system from Prospect Medical Holdings. (Kenny Cooper, Oct. 28, 2024)

After 138 years, the Visiting Nurses Association of Greater Philadelphia will shut down all health care services next month
The nonprofit home health care provider was founded in 1886. Its services include hospice, palliative and home health care. (Nicole Leonard, Sept. 16, 2024)

Elected officials, health care workers criticize Prospect for operating room closure at Taylor Hospital
Delaware County elected officials accuse the California-based Prospect Medical Holdings of starving Crozer Health to line the company’s coffers. (Kenny Cooper, Aug. 29, 2024)

‘It’s devastating’: As Planned Parenthood’s Warminster location closes, Bucks County Dems express concern for abortion access
Pa. state Rep. Brian Munroe said the closure is a “symptom” of an “ongoing onslaught” on abortion rights. (Emily Neil, June 27, 2024)

In Philly, only 1 qualified psychiatrist is available per 1,000 potentially at-risk children
The mental health crisis is moving faster than providers can catch up, says one CHOP doctor. (Grant Hill, June 24, 2024)

Pennsylvania lawmakers move to regulate private equity deals in health care, but a bill faces hurdles in the Senate
House lawmakers from Delaware County are leading efforts to regulate private equity transactions after the closure of Crozer Health last month. (Nicole Leonard, June 16, 2025)

N.J. domestic violence reports are rising. A legislative package aims to give survivors greater protection
The lack of affordable housing may be keeping some survivors in abusive relationships, officials said. (David Matthau, May 5, 2025)

Pennsylvania​​, New Jersey and Delaware join lawsuit against HHS federal cuts to health departments and programs
A lawsuit led by Democratic state attorneys general and governors seeks to stop the Trump administration from cutting grant money to local health programs. (Nicole Leonard, April 2, 2025)

As feds drop FACE Act cases in Philly and elsewhere, reproductive health providers worry about escalating violence
The dismissed federal lawsuit against a man who barricaded himself inside a Philly Planned Parenthood in 2021 is part of changes at the U.S. Department of Justice. (Nicole Leonard, March 5, 2025)

Gov. Shapiro meets with Penn Med leader amid ‘existential’ threat posed by Trump
The top administrator painted a dire portrait of Penn Medicine’s future amid a “chaotic pace of government regulations and executive orders.” (Jared Mitovich, Feb. 27, 2025)

As Gov. Shapiro calls for private equity ‘reform’ in Pennsylvania health care, where are investments growing?
One report by a watchdog organization identified nearly 900 health care locations in Greater Philadelphia that are backed by private equity firms. (Nicole Leonard, Feb. 24, 2025)

Pa. AG sues Prospect Medical Holdings for ‘corporate looting’
Attorney General Michelle Henry said Crozer Health, Delaware County’s four-hospital system, is suffering from the ill effects of private equity. (Kenny Cooper, Oct. 30, 2024)

Philly canvassers urge voters to consider health issues like HIV prevention, abortion access and insurance at the polls
Volunteers with the Positive Women’s Network, Pennsylvania chapter are urging support for HIV prevention, reproductive health care and addiction programs. (Nicole Leonard, Oct. 29, 2024)

‘It’s a painful reminder’: Delaware women face workforce, health care inequities, report says
While there’s been advancements, a new, first-ever report underscores ongoing racial and gender disparities in Delaware that demand quick action. (Johnny Perez-Gonzalez, Oct. 15, 2024)

No ‘playbook’: A Paoli teen is navigating a rare genetic condition. Her family says insurance is calling the shots
When it comes to rare diseases like HLH, the Zangrilli family says insurance can end up being the barrier to desperately needed treatment. (Nicole Leonard, June 10, 2024)

What’s stopping some immigrants from accessing prenatal care — and what Philly’s health system can do about it
Years later, the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant policies have continued to sow fear and confusion among immigrants in need of health care. (Liz Tung, May 27, 2024)

Suburban Community Hospital in East Norriton to become ‘micro-hospital’ for emergency care
One registered nurse pointed to the changes as another example of health care divestment and reduction in services. (Nicole Leonard, May 24, 2024)

Study finds access to lifesaving medication for opioid addiction in Philadelphia remains uneven
A researcher posed as a case manager and called treatment providers across the city to figure out how easy it is to get medication that reduces the risk of fatal overdoses. (Alan Yu, March 31, 2025)

New Jersey drug overdose deaths fall, state leaders credit expanding harm reduction and treatment efforts
The decline in New Jersey drug overdose deaths follows a nationwide trend, as most states are seeing a drop in deaths involving substances like fentanyl. (Nicole Leonard, March 27, 2025)

Pet meds and discarded doses: N.J. Poison Control Center study identifies sources of opioid poisonings in young children
Researchers looked at 230 cases of children 6 and younger who accidentally ingested opioids from common and uncommon sources. (Nicole Leonard, Oct. 2, 2024)

‘A system of disjointed pieces’: Philly addiction medicine experts call for reforms in substance use treatment
Addiction medicine providers told members of Philadelphia City Council that addiction treatment options have not caught up to the complex needs of today. (Nicole Leonard, July 18, 2024)

Black Pennsylvanians are 50% less likely to receive naloxone, despite soaring overdose deaths, new study finds
Cultural, systemic and historical factors have converged to create the perfect storm when it comes to Black overdose deaths. (Liz Tung, June 14, 2024)

Research finds some states are ignoring recommendations to improve opioid use disorder treatments
U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved medications such as buprenorphine and methadone remain inaccessible for most people with opioid use disorder, Pew officials said. (Marcus Biddle, June 4, 2024)

After April setback, Philadelphia nonprofit Safehouse files new appeal in federal court to open overdose prevention centers
Safehouse’s appeal seeks to reverse a district court judge’s decision to dismiss the nonprofit’s case in April with the U.S. Department of Justice. (Nicole Leonard, June 3, 2024)

After Kensington encampment shutdown, what’s next for Philly’s plan to address the addiction crisis?
City police and outreach workers continue to monitor the area of Kensington’s open-air drug market as harm reduction workers provide a bridge to support services. (Nicole Leonard, May 13, 2024)

Georgetown’s Pallet Village breaks ground on community center, expanding support for residents getting back on their feet
A 2,000-square-foot community center is under construction with a kitchen, meeting rooms and office spaces to support residents in transition. (Johnny Perez-Gonzalez, Dec. 19, 2024)

What storage accommodations will unhoused ‘Tent City’ residents have amid upcoming sweep in Pottstown?
Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania says unhoused people must have an opportunity to store and access personal property during sweeps. (Kenny Cooper, Dec. 9, 2024)

Burlington County breaks ground on its first emergency shelter
The new shelter to help those with emergency housing needs will take 16–20 months to build. (P. Kenneth Burns, Oct. 31, 2024)

Philadelphia medical students see street medicine as vital to care for more unhoused people
As the number of people experiencing homelessness rises in Philadelphia, health providers say street medicine can better deliver care to more people. (Nicole Leonard, Oct. 20, 2024)

Delaware nonprofits warn cuts to national service, food deliveries hurting underserved residents
Delaware leaders warn that $1.1 million cuts to AmeriCorps and USDA food aid will impact services for the state’s most underserved communities. (Johnny Perez-Gonzalez, May 13, 2025)

‘Food is medicine’: Healthy food from Delaware charity could see cuts amid federal funding freeze to food aid
Food banks in Delaware are trying to keep feeding needy residents after the Trump administration froze millions in food assistance to states. (Sarah Mueller, April 8, 2025)

A CHOP program showed promising results for families facing food insecurity. Researchers hope more funding broadens its reach
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found nearly one in five patient families struggle to get enough food, and wanted to address it. (Alan Yu, Dec. 2, 2024)

Here is where you can get a free Thanksgiving meal in Philly or donate to help those in need
Local nonprofits are providing free food ahead of Thanksgiving to help curb food insecurity in Philadelphia. The moms of Eagles players join in to make the holiday memorable. (Amanda Fitzpatrick, Nov. 25, 2024)

Black Mothers in Power launches community fridge to tackle Wilmington food insecurity
The fridge aims to help residents facing food insecurity, an urgent need in some spots in Wilmington. (Johnny Perez-Gonzalez, Sept. 27, 2024)

A ‘dream come true’: Mt. Joy teams up with Philly nonprofit for food drive at the Mann Center
Fans who donate a nonperishable item at Friday’s show will be entered to win a chance to watch the show side stage. (Cory Sharber, Sept. 19, 2024)

‘Crisis point’: Montco launches council to address growing food insecurity
The Montco Anti-Hunger Network reported a 60% increase in food pantry visits in 2023. (Emily Neil, June 14, 2024)

More than 28% of Black Philadelphians face food insecurity. Philabundance wants to fix that
Food insecurity in the region has jumped nearly 8% in three years, and 67% of residents live below the threshold for SNAP benefits. (Kiara Santos, The Philadelphia Tribune, May 19, 2024)