tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81932679877960716342023-11-15T22:30:59.582-08:00UPMC vs. Highmark - Citizen Soap BoxSenator Jim Ferlo (PA-38)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14509554220914411954noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193267987796071634.post-47653522747707778912011-11-11T12:29:00.000-08:002011-11-11T15:07:09.504-08:00State reviewing Highmark-WPAHS deal: Public Comment Period Open<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This week has seen a flurry UPMC v. Highmark activity. Namely, after months of anticipation and delays, Highmark and WPAHS finally </span><a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11305/1186664-100.stm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">sealed the deal</span></b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> and signed their Affiliation Agreement. T</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">he Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner, the Pennsylvania Attorney General, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will review the proposed affiliation, so there are still a number of bridges to cross before the deal is final. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Public input is a necessary part of the review process, and Commissioner Consedine has committed to host two public hearings in Western Pennsylvania as part of the review. Members of the general public and interested parties can review agreement documents and submit public comment at the Pennsylvania Insurance Department </span><a href="http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/industry_activity/9276/application_materials/1014652"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">website</span></b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Instead of attempting to summarize the entire agreement, I want to share two observations in particular. First, I have referenced the need for intervention by public officials, to remedy a Western Pennsylvania health care market that appears to be broken. Interestingly, the counter argument suggests that if the Highmark-WPAHS deal succeeds, it just might be </span><a href="http://postgazette.com/pg/11311/1188146-28-0.stm?cmpid=newspanel4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">unique enough</span></b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> to constitute a private market solution.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Maybe it's simply the case that drastic times and markets call for drastic measures and maneuvers. Necessity is the mother of invention, so to speak.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Second, I found Tab E of the Affiliation Agreement particularly interesting. It describes</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RjOUGF1yfNuyE-PV5OqEK_wbDdlFSqk4d77gDSpTG2A/edit"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Highmark's Vision</span></span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> at length, specifically within the context of the need for their Affiliation. The document lists several reasons "Why the System Needs to Change," including "Overinvestment in physical assets and clinical technology." (page 11). </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pennsylvania is one of 13 states that no longer maintains a state Certificate of Need (CON) program to regulate the capital investments of health care providers. I believe that Pennsylvania needs to reinvent and implement a new CON program, to meet the demands of the modern health care market place, while prioritizing and the health needs of communities. It seems that its Affiliation with WPAHS is leading Highmark to a similar conclusion. </span><br />
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</span>Senator Jim Ferlo (PA-38)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14509554220914411954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193267987796071634.post-77597357779576773492011-11-11T11:29:00.000-08:002011-11-11T15:12:12.841-08:00Senator Costa forges bipartisan effort, sponsors new legislation<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Senator Jay Costa has provided consistent and outstanding leadership throughout the UPMC vs. Highmark battle. A Western Pennsylvania Democrat and Leader of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus, Senator Costa brought state Senate and House leaders together in July </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VerU4QeP24pBQCQsNxxK4GAK6LQ6xrCQKtMS37bsQmI/edit?hl=en_US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">to initiate dialogue</span></b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> with UPMC and Highmark officials. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To his credit, Senator Costa has played a critical role in keeping leaders together and moving forward with common purpose. As previously mentioned in this blog, Rep. DeLuca and Rep. Frankel have sponsored legislation to address UPMC vs. Highmark, and their bills include dozens of Republican co-sponsors. As Senator Don White recently commented, "This is about as nonpartisan a project as your going to see come out of Harrisburg." (</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11302/1186033-454-0.stm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">PG</span></a></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Sean D. Hamill)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A couple of weeks ago, Senator Costa sponsored companion legislation to the DeLuca and Frankel bills, along with an additional proposal that forces UPMC and Highmark to reapply for their Charitable Organization status in the event that their contract terminates,</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I think there is a legitimate question about [UPMC's] charitable status in part because of their concern about competition," Mr. Costa said. "Because that infers that there's a profit concern on their part, and that's not charitable."(PG Hamill)</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What does UPMC think about the proposal? According to UPMC spokesman Paul Wood:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The central piece of Sen. Costa's legislation is to regulate the rates hospitals are paid for their services. This would represent a massive governmental intrusion into the healthcare marketplace...</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Usually a free-market argument like this would resonate with state officials, especially Republicans. After all, Western Pennsylvania is a model 21st century "Eds and Meds" economy and we want growing industries to take root here, prosper, create jobs, and contribute to the vitality of our region. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But not at the expense of the people's fundamental right to health care. Mr. Wood's argument duly noted, it seems that state officials on both sides of the aisle may be willing to make an exception in this case. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span>Senator Jim Ferlo (PA-38)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14509554220914411954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193267987796071634.post-76619524562522220722011-10-19T08:25:00.000-07:002011-10-19T08:25:18.747-07:00Call and Response - hearings continue, legislative proposals emerge<a href="http://post-gazette.com/pg/11292/1183116-455.stm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">This</span></b></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> is what democracy looks like...</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">State legislators have heard the call from <a href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_747676.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>businesses</b></span></a>, citizens and stakeholders. There have been hundreds of letters to the editor. Local media is providing consistent coverage and dissecting UPMC vs Highmark from every angle. As of this week a former Secretary of the U.S. Treasury<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11291/1182841-109-0.stm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">weighed in candidly</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">.</span> </span></span></span></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yet and still, </span></span><a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11286/1181714-28.stm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">the battle continues</span></b></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Apparently, the entire <span id="goog_672999919"></span></span></span><a href="http://postgazette.com/pg/11198/1161036-28-0.stm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>nation<span id="goog_672999920"></span> is watching</b></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. According to the stats on this blog people in Indonesia, England and Russia are tuning in. So its safe to say that "the whole world is watching."</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House Insurance Committee held a </span></span><a href="http://www.pahouse.com/PR/a032101811.asp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">hearing in Harrisburg</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> regarding UPMC vs Highmark, with members of both houses in attendance. Here are some of the highlights:</span></span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"If you tell us there's nothing you can do to UPMC, you either have to get out of your job or you need to tell us what piece of legislation we have to pass," Mr. Barbin, D-Cambria, said during the hearing...</span></span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"UPMC won't listen, so now it's time for legislators to take charge," state Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Penn Hills, said after the hearing...</span></span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"I don't know how you can force two commercial entities into a contract that they don't want to enter into," UPMC spokesman Paul Wood said in a telephone interview. "How do you force two competitors into a contract?"</span></span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">[Senator] Costa said lawmakers are reluctant to intervene in disputes between private businesses but that this is an exception.... </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"This is one of those times where we need to take legislative action," he said after the hearing. "It's not our practice to stick our nose into private business, but, at the end of the day, this issue rises above that concern."</span></span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Squirrel Hill, said... "I understand they want to build a strong, successful business, but they seem to forget that this is not Wall Street and they're not selling televisions or cameras or iPads; they're providing vital health care for our community..." </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(</span><a href="http://post-gazette.com/pg/11292/1183116-455-2.stm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>PG - Tracie Mauriello</b></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">)</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">State officials in the Legislature and Executive administration are digging deeper into UPMC vs. Highmark. So far the resulting solutions from Rep. Frankel and Rep. DeLuca each have over 60 bi-partisan co-sponsors. I expect additional proposals to emerge during the coming months, as well as in the 2012 Legislative Session.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last week, I had the pleasure to speak with Sally Kalson from the PG about UPMC vs. Highmark. Her column has been a progressive mainstay for decades, and I was happy to </span><a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11289/1182143-149-0.stm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>share my perspective</b></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> on the policy implications of UPMC vs. Highmark. After briefly discussing the issue with broad brush strokes, we discussed cost containment, access, and a variety of policy approaches</span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In the senator's view, the scenario has two parts -- the "nasty divorce" period, when consumer-hostages will have to be protected, and the long run, when government bodies will have to exercise their powers to maintain patient access and a level playing field...</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"The Legislature created UPMC and Highmark. They exist because of the charitable trust exemptions granted in state law. We [legislators] should weigh in and guarantee that UPMC cannot exclude Highmark subscribers from their physician network during the divorce..."</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Pennsylvania Supreme Court set [Act 55] standards in a 1985 ruling. To qualify [as a charitable organization], an organization must (1) advance a charitable purpose; (2) donate a substantial portion of its services; (3) benefit a substantial class of people who are legitimate subjects of charity; (4) relieve government of some of its burden; and (5) operate entirely free from private profit motive....</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">... The Legislature should revive the "certificate of need" requirement that once put the brakes on overbuilding and costly health care redundancies. Hospitals had to show a demonstrated need in the community -- empire-building did not qualify -- before sinking millions into, say, a competing facility in Monroeville...</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"We used to have a Health Systems Agency doing that oversight," Mr. Ferlo said. "It was so effective it was disbanded, and then costs went through the roof. We need to get back to that principle...." (</span><a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11289/1182143-149-0.stm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>PG</b></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">)</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In summary, there is the short-term need to prevent the "divorce," or at the very least to facilitate a smooth breakup. Thinking long-term, UPMC vs. Highmark is symptomatic of a Western PA regional health care and health insurance market that is broken, and can only be fixed through statutory remedies. A few of these remedies include reforming Act 55, enacting Certificate of Need legislation, and effectively implementing ACA provisions (new requirements for insurance rate increases and tax-exempt hospitals in particular).</span><br />
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<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In the end, improved Medicare for all is the only real solution to this crisis. I will continue to keep this end in sight as we search for remedies to UPMC vs. Highmark. </span><br />
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</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>Senator Jim Ferlo (PA-38)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14509554220914411954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193267987796071634.post-3117162011259613412011-09-20T09:35:00.000-07:002011-09-21T16:00:57.295-07:00Recap of the PA Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Hearing<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There has been a great deal of feedback and response to the September 8 Town Hall meeting, thanks in part to action items such as the below post card (which I encourage you to print and mail to Attorney General Kelly) and </span><a href="http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A100438"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ongoing media coverage</span></b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. Please take a moment to view</span><a href="http://billstone.smugmug.com/Other/Ferlo-HighmarkUPMC-Town-Hall/18946419_MwPsLG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> additional Town Hall pictures</span></b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On September 13, the Pennsylvania Senate Banking and Insurance Committee held a hearing about UPMC vs. Highmark at the University of Pittsburgh.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span><a href="http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2011/09/13/state-senators-meet-over-upmc-highmark-feud/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Senator Don White (R-Armstrong)</span></b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Chairs the Committee and deserves credit for planning and conducting a very informative session. Most of the </span><a href="http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/cteeInfo/cteeInfo.cfm?cde=37&body=S"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Committee</span></b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> attended, in addition to myself and Senators Costa, Fontana, and Pippy. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Among those who provided testimony were officials from West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS), Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Consedine, and Chief Deputy Attorney Generals James Donahue III and Mark Pacella (Antitrust Section and Charitable Trusts and Organizations Section, respectively). </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please take a moment to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><a href="http://www.senatordonwhite.com/banking/2011/091311/agenda.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">view full testimony, video</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">,</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and </span></span><b><a href="http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/19017744_TPCgbJ"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">pictures</span></span></a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> of the hearing. A lot of new information was provided, particularly by the office of the Attorney General, which gave a thorough description of its legal powers and </span><a href="http://www.senatordonwhite.com/banking/2011/091311/oag-attachment.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">review protocol</span></b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">for transaction such as the proposed Highmark acquisition of WPAHS.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Chief Deputy Attorney General Donahue confirmed the Charitable status' of Highmark and UPMC, and went on to describe the elements that his office will evaluate when reviewing the proposed Highmark acquisition of WPAHS:</span></div><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"The scope of review varies with the specifics of each transaction, but generally seeks to ensure that the transaction is the product of due diligence after consideration of all other available alternatives; that it is free of private inurement; that full and fair value is being paid when any sale of charitable assets is implicated; that any restricted assets will remain segregated and committed to the intended charitable purposes; </span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and that the transaction will not unduly impact the community's access and availability to health care</span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">." [emphasis added]</span></blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">UPMC has said repeatedly that if Highmark acquires WPAHS, there will not be a new provider contract between UPMC and Highmark. Is UPMC effectively opposing the merger on legal grounds by refusing to negotiate?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We still have nearly a year before the UPMC-Highmark provider contract expires - this was an overarching theme of the September 13 hearing. But if the state approves Highmark's acquisition of WPAHS, how likely is it that UPMC will challenge the merger in court? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">jferlo</span></div><div><div><br />
</div></div>Senator Jim Ferlo (PA-38)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14509554220914411954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193267987796071634.post-35910925062124096942011-09-13T08:29:00.000-07:002011-09-13T08:29:17.178-07:00Town Hall Meeting Recap, Pressure Points, Next Steps<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Thank you to the 350 + community leaders and citizens who attended the <i>UPMC and Highmark: Purely Public Charities? </i>Town Hall meeting last Thursday. Media coverage by the <a href="http://post-gazette.com/pg/11252/1173312-114.stm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>PG</b></span></a>, <a href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_755857.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Trib</b></span></a>, and <a href="http://www.wtae.com/video/29129430/detail.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>WTAE</b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b> </b></span>was certainly appreciated, although lacking and inaccurate in some respects. In the end they all got the message:</span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mr. Ferlo said he brought the parties together before members of the public, elected officials and labor leaders so they could discuss what was at stake. Representatives of each side sat at tables flanking the podium, sometimes shaking their heads while the other side addressed the audience...</span> </blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Mr. Ferlo said the session was the beginning of what he hopes will be greater input and influence from the community. He said there are ways to impact the situation, including getting the state attorney general and insurance commissioner involved. There also might be cause for legislation. (PG - Dan Majors)</span> </blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"What's been missing is the people in this room," said state Sen. Jim Ferlo, D-Highland Park, who sponsored the town hall meeting on Thursday night at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum in Oakland. "I think it will be a very ugly divorce unless we are involved." (Trib - Tony LaRussa)</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;">As I outlined at the Town Hall, we need to build a campaign of actions over the next few months and they should include all pressure points:</span><br />
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<ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Corporate campaign exposing <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11252/1173186-192-0.stm"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">current Board membership</span></b></a> - most people may not be aware that 1/3 of UPMC Board is selected by Pitt and includes Chancellor Nordenburg and they have all been silent;</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Pressure and actions aimed at PA Insurance Commissioner <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11194/1160008-28-0.stm"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Michael Consedine</span></b></a> and PA Attorney General <a href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/s_751587.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Linda Kelly</span></b></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> </span></b>relating to Act 55 and Act 94;</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Pressure and actions aimed at the PA House and Senate (Sen. Fontana's <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11250/1172597-28.stm"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">"tax them"</span></b></a> proposal, etc...). Also, the Legislature has the power to re-write the 5 provisions of Act 55 to call into question UPMC's violations and leave less room for the Pa Supreme Court to wiggle;</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Pressure on the <a href="http://www.acms.org/info/index.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Allegheny County Medical Society</span></b></a> to start defending physicians who are being intimidated into silence due to restrictive contract provisions with UPMC;</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Continued public outreach and post card campaigns. Post cards were distributed at the Town Hall, which I will share through my website and this blog in the coming days;</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Pressure and due diligence regarding civil rights and anti-trust actions, given U.S. Justice Dept. <a href="http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_754851.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">recent decision</span></b></a> to not get involved.</span></li>
</ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;">To be clear, <i>I will be supporting Highmark's acquistion of the WPAHS</i> and work to re-establish an ER and other critcal services at West Penn Hospital. <i>Highmark-WPAHS need to develop an Integrated Finance and Delivery System (IFDS)</i> similar to the UPMC model. All this remains in question until Highmark submits a formal acquisition filing with the Commonwealth (to the PA Insurance Department, specifically) and takes significant actions to consumate their deal which will cost Highmark an estimated $2 Billion. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Throughout the process, I will continue to be advocate for single payer sustainable solutions and fight cuts in Social Security and Medicare (I believe Obama will lead effort to initiate these cuts).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;">jferlo</span></div>Senator Jim Ferlo (PA-38)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14509554220914411954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193267987796071634.post-62987404568712419532011-09-07T14:37:00.000-07:002011-09-07T14:37:23.844-07:00Town Hall Agenda<!--StartFragment--> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I look forward to the Town Hall meeting tomorrow and hope that you can join me, UPMC and Highmark officials, and what I expect will be over 300 citizens and stakeholders. Meeting agenda posted below:</b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 152.45pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br />
</b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 152.45pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">UPMC and Highmark: Purely Public Charities?<o:p></o:p></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 152.45pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">TOWN HALL MEETING</b><o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 152.45pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 152.45pt; text-align: center;">Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall Ballroom<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 152.45pt; text-align: center;">4141 Fifth Avenue<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 152.45pt; text-align: center;">Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 152.45pt; text-align: center;">Thursday, September 8, 2011<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 152.45pt; text-align: center;">7:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 152.45pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 152.45pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 152.45pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>AGENDA</u><o:p></o:p></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 152.45pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 99.0pt;">7:00 p.m.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Opening comments by Senator Jim Ferlo (PA-38)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 1.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 99.0pt;">7:10 p.m.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Daniel O’Malley, Highmark<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 99.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Market President for Regional Markets and Provider Contracting<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 99.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 99.0pt;">7:20 p.m. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W. Thomas McGough, UPMC<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 99.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 99.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 99.0pt;">7:30 p.m.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Public comments and questions (3 minutes per speaker)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 99.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 99.0pt;">8:50 p.m.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Closing comments by Senator Ferlo and adjourn<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 99.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Special thanks to goes out the the organizations and stakeholder that have been organizing and educating the community about this issue (Community Collaborative Stakeholders, <a href="http://www.seiu1199p.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">SEIU Healthcare PA</span></a>, <a href="http://consumerhealthcoalition.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Consumer Health Coalition</span></a>, <a href="http://pahealthaccess.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Pennsylvania Health Access Network</span></a>, the <a href="http://www.wpasinglepayer.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Western Pennsylvania Coalition for Single Payer Heathcare - HR 676</span></a>, <a href="http://healthcare4allpa.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Healthcare for All PA</span></a>, and many more). A number of them will be tabling at the Town Hall. Try to arrive early and visit their educational displays. </b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>jferlo</b></div><!--EndFragment-->Senator Jim Ferlo (PA-38)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14509554220914411954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193267987796071634.post-21859511564367318702011-09-03T13:40:00.000-07:002011-09-04T20:34:57.191-07:00This Thursday, your voice mattersMy<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> </span></b><a href="http://www.senatorferlo.com/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Town Hall meeting</span></b></a> at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall ballroom is this Thursday, and I hope that you can join me for a what will be both a lively and educational event, as well as a watershed moment in the story of UPMC vs. Highmark.<br />
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On August 25, the House Insurance Com<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">mittee hosted a hearing in the Allegheny County Courthouse located in Downtown Pittsburgh, to gather testimony from UPMC, Highmark, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, the Pittsburgh Business Group on Health, the Allegheny County Bar Association, and S</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">ervice Manufacturing and Commercial Business Council. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">UPMC CEO and President Jeffrey Romoff and Highmark CEO and President Dr. Kenneth Melani made rare personal appearances and provided</span></span> <a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B24Me865WutrYzM4MzBhM2QtNGE3Yi00NmRmLTk4YWYtYzE5ODgwMWNjZjgx&hl=en_US"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">testimony</span></b></a> that reiterated their respective positions. To summarize: UPMC will not negotiate or enter into a new provider contract with Highmark if it acquires West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS), and Highmark fully intends to acquire WPAHS.<br />
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With this as our current context, I am preparing for the Town Hall meeting with a few clear positions in mind:<br />
<blockquote>1) At this time I support the Highmark-WPAHS merger, which as it has been described to date, will breathe new life into the financially distressed WPAHS and save thousands of jobs in Allegheny County.</blockquote><blockquote>2) I believe that morally, ethically, and legally in order to fulfill their obligations as charitable organizations under PA Act 55 of 1997, UPMC and Highmark should find common ground and reach a new provider contract that increases healthcare access and reduces healthcare costs for the residents and employers of our region.</blockquote><blockquote>3) Thinking long term, UPMC vs. Highmark is the symptom of failing health care and health insurance markets in Western Pennsylvania. Therefore, statutory remedies are justifiable and necessary in order correct the market. Among these remedies are reforms in the areas of the <a href="http://www.pepperlaw.com/publications_article.aspx?ArticleKey=115"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Pennsylvania charitable organization law</b></span></a>, <a href="http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=14373"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Certificate of Need (CON)</span></b></a>, and <a href="http://www.acms.org/acms-testimony-pa-house-of-representatives-insurance-committee/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">limiting health insurance premium increases</span></b></a>.</blockquote>My colleagues in the Pennsylvania General Assembly are<b> </b><a href="http://plum-oakmont.patch.com/articles/deluca-plans-legislation-to-break-stalled-upmc-highmark-talks"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>clearly prepared to act decisively</b></span></a>, and are considering the various approaches that might be taken to enact a solution if UPMC and Highmark cannot reach one voluntarily. When the citizens of Allegheny County have their say on Thursday, Harrisburg will be listening and assured that there is a groundswell of support from Western Pennsylvania residents. This Thursday your voice will make all the difference.<br />
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jferloSenator Jim Ferlo (PA-38)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14509554220914411954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193267987796071634.post-47775527985230946752011-08-25T03:51:00.000-07:002011-09-04T20:32:01.837-07:00State officials are weighing in with force<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Today the first in a series of meetings and hearings held by state officials regarding the Highmark-UPMC provider contract will be held in the Allegheny County Courthouse - Gold Room. It is expected to last from 9:30 a.m - 5 p.m. so it seems that we can expect a great deal of testimony and dialogue. If we were to predict how the day might play out based on Rep. Anthony DeLuca's comments in the Tribune Review yesterday, I would say that the the tension level will be high to say the least. State officials in the legislature and the administration are not taking the issue lightly:</span><br />
<div><blockquote>Ca<span class="Apple-style-span">lling the standoff a "crisis," Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Penn Hills, said a hearing planned for Thursday morning in the Allegheny County Courthouse should help state legislators figure out what they need to do to get the state's largest health insurer and hospital network to restart talks on a contract that is set to expire in about 10 months...</span></blockquote><blockquote>"They might not want to negotiate, but we could come up with legislation that might not make them happy," he said. "So they should be careful what they wish for. That's not a threat, but our first job as legislators is to protect the people. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>(</b></span><a href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/health/s_753015.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Trib - Alex Nixon</b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>)</b></span></blockquote></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Folks might recall that over the past few years I have been vocal when it comes to the questionable nonprofit status of Highmark and UPMC. In April 2010 I sponsored legislation to curb foreign outsourcing by nonprofits in our Commonwealth:</span></span></div><div><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span">"Not only are healthcare costs in our region higher than any other metropolitan region of a similar size, but the profits are being invested overseas instead of locally,” said the Senator in a statement...</span></blockquote></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><blockquote>Ferlo continued, “Institutions that are located in our Commonwealth, and outsourcing positions to overseas companies while benefitting from tax exempt status, have ceased acting solely in the best interest of Pennsylvanian citizens and violated their purely charitable status. If these corporations are going to act like a for-profit operation then we should deal with them like one.” <b><a href="http://www.senatorferlo.com/Releases/2010/august17.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">(PG)</span></a></b></blockquote></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">And from the outset of the WPAHS consolidation, I have always pointed to the bigger picture in terms of the dysfunctional United States healthcare financing system:</span></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><blockquote>State Sen. Jim Ferlo, whose district includes Bloomfield, called the consolidation "obviously devastating for the employees who will lose their jobs" but said West Penn could not continue operating at a loss...</blockquote><blockquote>"I think the for-profit nature of the health care industry is somewhat to blame and the fact that we don't have a rational system" for deploying scarce health care resources, he said, citing UPMC's plans to build a hospital near the West Penn Forbes Regional Campus in Monroeville...</blockquote><blockquote>"Does anybody really consider UPMC as a nonprofit institution with their tentacles extended all around the world?" he asked. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">(</span></b><a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10181/1069201-53.stm"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">PG - Steve Twedt</span></b></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">)</span></b></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I encourage you to set aside some time to attend these hearings and my Town Hall meeting on September 8. My colleagues in the General Assembly deserve credit for their work on this issue. They have seen the writing on the wall and will be seeking answers to this crisis.</span><br />
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</span></div>Senator Jim Ferlo (PA-38)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14509554220914411954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193267987796071634.post-72697903385137348202011-08-16T13:03:00.000-07:002011-09-04T20:35:51.805-07:00Public Comments to County CouncilOn August 3, 2011 Allegheny County Council held a public hearing to discuss the current conflict and contract dispute between UPMC and Highmark. County Council President Jim Burn and his colleagues deserve credit for holding this informative public forum, which provided us with a snapshot of the two party's respective arguments. Links to these comments are provided here at <a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B24Me865WutrMjIwOTBiZDUtNzAzNi00MDhlLTgzMzQtMjE0MWExNDRlNGMw&hl=en_US"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">UPMC</span></b></a> vs. <a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B24Me865WutrYjcxM2YwOGItNzE5MS00ZjE1LWFlYjktYTA2MGY2MGVkY2Qz&hl=en_US"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Highmark</span></b></a>. <br />
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jferloSenator Jim Ferlo (PA-38)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14509554220914411954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193267987796071634.post-83166592077604322692011-08-12T13:03:00.000-07:002011-09-04T20:36:44.902-07:00Event Announcement!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa456/mikpappas/Ferlo/TownhallMeeting_9811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" naa="true" src="http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa456/mikpappas/Ferlo/TownhallMeeting_9811.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> UPMC vs. Highmark has a lot of people asking “how can nonprofits act this way?” In other words, what is PA Act 55 of 1997 – The Institutions of Purely Public Charity Act – and how do these multi-billion dollar entities qualify? The community needs answers now more than ever. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa456/mikpappas/Ferlo/FerloMediaAdvisory_81211_UPMCvsHighmark_TownHall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" naa="true" src="http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa456/mikpappas/Ferlo/FerloMediaAdvisory_81211_UPMCvsHighmark_TownHall.jpg" width="392" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Please mark your schedule and bring your voices, friends, frustrations, constructive criticism and creative ideas. I hope that this event will be an opportunity for the community to begin to develop a collaborative way forward.</span><br />
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jferlo</div>Senator Jim Ferlo (PA-38)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14509554220914411954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193267987796071634.post-4520040846830655672011-08-12T12:36:00.000-07:002011-09-05T19:56:19.571-07:00Statement of Purpose<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The purpose of this blog is to provide insight and direction for grass roots citizen action in health care advocacy, particularly in Southwestern Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh region. When it comes to health care in our region the issues before us are great and many, complicated and contradictory, economic and human. One thing is certain - we should all have the right to high quality, affordable health care.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px;">We as a region are experiencing a moment unlike any other in recent history, with our dominant health care provider and health insurance provider at interminable odds. The stakes are particularly high because the feuding parties represent three of the ten largest employers in Allegheny County, and account for how the vast majority of our population receives and pays for health care services. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are five UPMC and WPAHS hospitals in the Senate district that I represent, and my constituents are beside themselves with the uncertainty of where they will turn for their health care needs. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px;">At the same time, informed citizens from every walk of life are beginning to see the UMPC vs. Highmark battle as a blessing in disguise that has exposed the failures of our local health care and health insurance markets. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px;"> There are a number of significant issues that impact the costs of coverage and care in our region, including: tax exempt status for our dominant health insurer and providers, Certificate of Need (CON), Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) implementation, unreasonable insurance rate increases, Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA), “Conversion” legislation and the distribution of charitable assets...</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px;">upmcvshighmark.blogspot.com will grapple with these subjects and more within the context of the current conflict. I encourage citizens at the grass-roots level to regularly visit this blog as a place to learn and share your health care experiences or perspectives. My hope is that the community will gain direction for its advocacy efforts, and affirmation in the right to high quality, affordable health care for all.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div>Senator Jim Ferlo (PA-38)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14509554220914411954noreply@blogger.com0