HARRISBURG – Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason released the following statement regarding a WNEP report today that three northeastern Pennsylvania hospitals have been put on the market due to new requirements found in the massive Obama-Pelosi-Carney healthcare overhaul bill. For over almost a century, these hospitals,Mercy Hospital in Scranton, Mercy Tyler Hospital in Tunkhannock and Mercy Special Care Hospital in Nanticoke, have been a source of prominent medical care and employment to thousands throughout the region. It’s now evident that this lifeline was extinguished the moment Congressman Carney voted for Obamacare.

“For over a year we have been sounding the alarm on Congressman Carney’s vote for ObamaCare and the negative effects that bill will have on our Commonwealth and its citizens,” Gleason said.  “Because of Congressman Carney’s blind allegiance to Nancy Pelosi and her liberal agenda, northeast Pennsylvanians will have fewer health care options and many will lose their jobs. As we have warned, Carney’s vote for the takeover of healthcare has led to less choices and more lost jobs.

“Carney supported Pelosi over jobs!  On November 2nd, Chris Carney will get his own pink slip and be replaced by Tom Marino – a man who knows what it takes to create jobs and get our economy flowing again.”

Adding insult to injury, the hospitals reported that they are doing well financially and are ahead of their budget for this year. If it weren’t for the new restrictions brought on by Carney’s legislation, they would continue to operate and provide care and jobs to thousands in the area. In an unusually frank statement, the hospitals’ CEO Kevin Cook noted how the growing intervention of the government broke the camel’s back at a time when local economies are increasingly vulnerable to the prolonged recession:

“Health care reform is absolutely playing a role. Was it the precipitating factor in this decision? No, but was it a factor in our planning over the next five years? Absolutely,” Cook added.

For more information, please visit www.pagop.org or call (717) 234-4901