Tenor Health Foundation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire three Commonwealth Health hospitals in northeastern Pennsylvania: Regional Hospital of Scranton, Moses Taylor Hospital, and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, along with their associated clinics and outpatient centers.
The transaction is contingent upon regulatory approval and the nonprofit Tenor finalizing its financing. According to a statement from Commonwealth Health, the deal is expected to be completed by the end of the year once funding is secured.
“This acquisition exemplifies our organization’s commitment to preserve valuable healthcare resources—specifically in the most vulnerable communities,” said Radha A. Savitala, Tenor Health Foundation’s chief executive officer. “We look forward to continuing to engage with all key stakeholders to ensure a seamless acquisition and transition.”
The announcement follows a period of significant uncertainty for the hospitals. A previous sale to another nonprofit, WoodBridge Healthcare, collapsed in November after the buyer failed to secure necessary bond financing. The failure of that deal stoked fears that the financially challenged Scranton hospitals could close, leaving a critical gap in the region’s healthcare services.
In response, government officials and community leaders launched a coordinated effort to find a new buyer. A coalition of local organizations—including the Scranton Area Community Foundation, the AllOne Foundation, the Moses Taylor Foundation, and others—provided millions of dollars in stopgap funding to maintain services and pay staff at the Scranton facilities during the interim.
Local elected officials expressed cautious optimism about the agreement. U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan called it a “positive step toward ensuring the continuity of care for our community,” highlighting the hospitals’ role as critical health providers and major employers.
Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti stated the primary goal has always been to keep the hospitals open and their staff employed. “I am cautiously optimistic that this sale means we will continue to have quality healthcare right here in Scranton,” she said, adding that the city would support Tenor in securing the required licenses and financing.
The instability has been a source of anxiety for community health partners. Maria Montoro Edwards, CEO of Maternal and Family Health Services, noted her organization was “very worried” about the potential closure of Moses Taylor Hospital, where most babies in the area are born, which could disrupt essential maternity care for local families.
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