Chester Eastside

On Saturday, members of the Put People First! PA (PPF-PA) Southeast PA Healthcare Rights Committee connected with dozens of community members at the Chester Eastside Open Table. PPF-PA members held a People’s Clinic with blood pressure screenings, Medicaid & food stamp sign ups, and a healthcare story wall. We heard many healthcare stories - two different people who had recently been cut off of Medicaid and a gentleman who’s been waiting since June to get enrolled in benefits after being incarcerated for 16 years. Others who have Medicaid but who have been struggling to get mental health and other needs met since they lost their care when Crozer closed in May 2025. Thank you for helping us break our isolation by sharing your stories! We deserve so much more in our healthcare system! How would your life be different if healthcare were a human right?

“May 1-15 I was in a coma for two weeks at Crozer-Chester. They saved my life. I had to learn how to walk and talk again. I’ve been to the hospital 5X since November 2025. Now I go to Riddle Hospital. I had to wait in hallways for numerous hours.” — Larneice P.

“Crozer-Chester hospital closure really messed me up. They stopped everything. Stopped seeing my psychiatrist, therapist, peer social worker. I had really good care for 25 years. It’s been a year since they closed.” — Robert P.

“We need a hospital in Chester! Someone said they’d be opening back up, but now we haven’t heard no more! No drug store to get your meds, no way to get there. Healthcare is a human right!” — Tammy

“My name is Aaron K. I applied for welfare, SSI, and retirement benefits on June 25th. It’s been 2 months. I haven’t even received my medicaid card. I’m still waiting to hear back my SSI + retirement. It’s a shame. What they do to people. I just came home from doing 16 years, 6 months, and 15 days, and I’m still trying to get help. I keep on praying for help.” — Aaron K.