SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Two small hospitals in South Jersey have announced plans to merge with larger health care networks, remaining open for the foreseeable future.
Cooper University Health Care is merging with Cape Regional Health System to maintain and expand services in Cape May County. Officials with Cape Regional said this move makes the most sense, as it becomes harder for smaller health systems to operate independently.
Inspira Health System is also acquiring the Salem Medical Center in Mannington.
New Jersey state Rep. Beth Sawyer, R-Swedesboro, says this will ensure residents have high-quality care close to home.
“We have such a lack already of hospital beds, especially when it comes to mental health care, and for our seniors and disabled vets,” said Sawyer.
“I think that people are finally coming together and saying if we didn’t hit this head-on, we are going to lose a lot of these facilities.”
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She said there would be better research, technology, and techniques available due to this merger, and residents are the big winners.
“They’re happy that the hospital is going to stay in business. They’re looking forward to now that instead of having to cross bridges to get quality health care, they’ll be able to stay within their county,” said Sawyer.
Sawyer hopes this also helps attract more doctors, nurses, and medical professionals to move and raise their families near the hospitals.
Both of these deals must go through the official legal and regulatory process before being finalized, and that will take about a year.