ALIQUIPPA — A Western Pennsylvania hospital has filed for bankruptcy protection after encountering financial difficulties similar to those faced by its predecessor in 2002.

The bankruptcy filing will allow the 96-bed Commonwealth Medical Center in Aliquippa to operate while it reorganizes. Its predecessor, Aliquippa Community Hospital, filed for bankruptcy protection in 2002.

The current facility has been operating under a state order that bans it from seeing new patients due to licensing issues and its financial troubles.

The bankruptcy filing says the hospital has assets of between $10 million and $50 million. Debt and creditor details will be included in a filing due in Pittsburgh's bankruptcy court by Dec. 22.