Senator Costa Statement on Rise of Leslie Davis to President & CEO of UPMC

PITTSBURGH – July 28, 2021 – Today, Senator Jay Costa released the following statement in regards to the announcement that Leslie Davis is rising to become President and CEO of UPMC and the departure of Jeffrey Romoff:

“I welcome the ascension of Leslie Davis to the position of President and CEO of UPMC. I’m sure that UPMC will be in good hands under her leadership. Her experience and expertise will surely be an asset to the medical system, and I expect it will continue to be a major regional contributor for some time to come.

Jeffrey Romoff was truly a leader and innovator in the Pittsburgh region and in the healthcare industry. While we have had our differences about certain workforce and community policies, there is no denying that under his direction, UMPC has been a force in the healthcare sector, created an enormous number of jobs and helped lead Pittsburgh through the transition from a major steel manufacturing hub to a modern economy.

Today, Pittsburgh’s healthcare system is world renowned in healthcare delivery, research, education, and job creation.”

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$23.9 Million Approved for Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Rehabilitation Project

Allegheny County – July 23, 2021 – Today, Pennsylvania State Senators from Allegheny County including Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Senator Wayne Fontana and Senator Lindsey Williams announced the approval of a $23,970,000 loan for the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority (PWSA) from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).

“This investment strengthens the overall infrastructure of our city. Well maintained systems eliminate overflows into waterways, mitigate against sinkholes, and allow for the proper funneling of sewage and stormwater away from where we live and work. It may not always be top of mind for residents, but the functionality of our sewer systems ensures the functionality of our cities,” said Senator Costa.

The loan will be used to replace and rehabilitate approximately 22 miles of wastewater collection lines in an existing system that serves 81,958 residential customers. The collection lines run through Homewood, Squirrel Hill, Maytide, Marshall-Shadeland, Spring Garden and Highland Park.  

“This funding will continue the modernization of the City’s water and wastewater infrastructure.  Improved infrastructure lowers the odds of service interruptions, water quality issues, and steep customer rate hikes,” said Senator Fontana.

“Residents in these neighborhoods have experienced significant problems caused by sinkholes, sewage backups, and waterline breaks,” said Senator Williams. “I’m glad to see PWSA and PENNVEST prioritizing investment in infrastructure where it is most needed and can make the most difference in the lives of our residents.”

PENNVEST serves communities and citizens of Pennsylvania by funding sewer, storm water and drinking water projects. These projects not only contribute to improving Pennsylvania’s environment and the health of its people, but also provide opportunities for economic growth and jobs for Pennsylvania’s workers. More information is available on the PENNVEST website: https://www.pennvest.pa.gov.

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PA Senate Dems Host Policy Hearing on the Healthcare Workforce Crisis in PA

Harrisburg – July 21, 2021 – At the request of Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D- Allegheny), Sen. Wayne Fontana (D- Allegheny), Sen. Jim Brewster (D- Allegheny/Westmoreland), Sen.  Lindsey Williams (D- Allegheny), & House Representative Austin Davis (D- Allegheny), the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a hybrid in person and virtual public hearing to discuss the healthcare workforce crisis in Pennsylvania. The pandemic exposed the many problems with staffing in our healthcare systems that must be addressed.

“I am extremely grateful that the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, in partnership with the incredible health care workers of SEIU, are continuing the conversation about the immediate need to address the staffing crisis in Pennsylvania healthcare settings,” Sen. Costa said. “My family was incredibly thankful for the care that my mother received when she was in a nursing home setting, and that standard of care should be afforded to every Pennsylvanian. Safe staffing levels, union protections, and livable wages are essential to addressing this workforce crisis.”

Sen. Fontana continued, “The pandemic put the gaping holes in our current healthcare system on full display. The staff in our hospital systems, our nursing homes, and our home care aides worked tirelessly before this pandemic – and were lifelines during the pandemic. We must address the pay inequities that healthcare workers face and assure that these essential workers have the workplace protections that they deserve.”

As the pandemic put a strain on health care systems across the country, staff became increasingly scarce as quarantines and infection rates rose at an alarming pace. In November 2020, approximately nine months into the pandemic, staffing shortages existed in hospitals within at least 25 states. Many employees had to choose between working and caring for their children during pandemic-induced school closures. Additionally, the fear of contracting COVID-19 or passing it to family members, the surging influx of patients and the extended work hours plagued healthcare staff across-the-board. A survey conducted by Mental Health America from June to September demonstrated 93% of healthcare workers were stressed, 85% were experiencing anxiety, 77% were frustrated, 76% were burned out and 75% felt overwhelmed.

During the hearing, nurses and health care workers discussed historic challenges they faced during the pandemic and ongoing challenges that have existed in their profession long before COVID-19 became a public health crisis. Panelists and legislatures also pointed out the correlation between improved patient outcomes and good working conditions and pay. They highlighted the need for more data to prove the benefits of good working conditions that unions like SEIU fight for.

“There is no excuse for allowing healthcare professionals – who are giving lifesaving care – to work in substandard conditions where they are not making a living wage. Good jobs create strong communities, and these workers deserve the union security, workplace protections, and comparable wages for the professionals that they are and the work that they do,” Sen. Brewster said.

“Good union jobs are shown time and again to improve the lives of individuals and improve the communities where union families live. Fighting for union security, safe staffing levels, and livable wages that our healthcare workers deserve will not only create better outcomes for patients where these workers serve – it creates stronger and more prosperous communities as a whole,” Sen. Lindsey Williams said.

“Across the country, health disparities between white and Black people have been narrowing — but the opposite is true in Allegheny County. We know why: the over-concentration of the Black community in local service occupations and in particular, healthcare. Like the manufacturing industries that preceded it, healthcare relies on understaffing and cost-cutting at the frontlines to support high executive pay, expansion and profits. This model intensifies disparities and creates worker *and* community burnout and instability. These problems cannot be solved using current managerial strategies. Healthcare systems are the perfect example of why healthcare workers need a voice on the job. Our charitable healthcare dollars are funding an unsustainable business model, and it’s time for a change,” said Silas Russell, Vice President at SEIU Healthcare PA.

“I am incredibly grateful to hold this hearing today and to continue the conversation about the need for workplace protections and union security for our healthcare professionals.  They truly were essential the past year and several months as we fought through the pandemic, but their work has been and will continue to be the keystone to ensuring high-quality patient care.  The pay, benefits, protections, and respect through safe staffing levels or our healthcare workers should absolutely reflect the lifesaving work that they do,” Sen. Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, said.

Below are all who participated in today’s hearing:

  • Erin Williams, Respiratory Therapist, Allegheny General Hospital
  • Christoria Hughes, Dietary, UPMC Presbyterian
  • Kim Hitrik, Registered Nurse, West Penn Hospital
  • Katrina Rechtenwald, Registered Nurse, Allegheny General Hospital
  • Silas Russell, Vice President and Political Director, SEIU Healthcare PA
  • Theresa Brown, PhD, RN, Nurse and author of the New York TimesBestseller The Shift: One Nurse, Twelve Hours, Four Patients’ Lives
  • Gabriel Winant, Author, The Next Shift: the Fall of Industry and the Rise of Healthcare in the Rust Belt
  • Jeff Shook, Assistant Professor of Social Work and Law at University of Pittsburgh

Senators who attended this hearing in person and virtually included Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D- Allegheny), Sen. Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Sen. Wayne Fontana (D- Allegheny), Sen. Jim Brewster (D- Allegheny/Westmoreland), Sen. Lindsey Williams (D- Allegheny), Sen. John Kane (D- Chester/Delaware), Sen. Tim Kearney (D- Chester/Delaware), Sen. Shariff Street (D- Philadelphia), and Sen. Maria Collett (D- Bucks/Montgomery). House Members in attendance included Rep. Austin Davis (D- Allegheny), Rep. Dan Miller (D- Allegheny), and Rep. Emily Kinkead (D- Allegheny).

The full recording of this roundtable, as well as the written testimony from participants, can be found at senatormuth.com/policy. A full recording of this hearing can also be found on the PA Senate Democratic Facebook page.

 

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E-Scooter Pilot Program to Start in Pittsburgh

Harrisburg – June 30, 2021 − Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35), chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, and Senator Jay Costa (D-43), minority leader of the Senate, announced a two-year pilot program for electric low-speed scooters (e-scooter) to commence in the City of Pittsburgh with the passage of Act 24 of 2021.

“Micromobility is transforming how we move people and goods in communities across the United States. With Act 24, the Commonwealth is embracing the innovation of e-scooters in a controlled setting in the City of Pittsburgh,” said Senator Langerholc. “E-scooters are a novel invention for a short trip or a last-mile destination. In every case, riders are encouraged to operate e-scooters in a safe manner by following the rules established by the City of Pittsburgh.” 

“Pittsburgh is a world class city, and with so much to see and do – its residents and visitors need access to all modes of transportation,” said Senator Costa. “This pilot program for e-scooters is exciting and I’m confident that folks will enjoy them safely and responsibly to enjoy all Pittsburgh has to offer.”

Act 24 authorizes rental e-scooters on a bike lane, a roadway (with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less) or a bike path in the City of Pittsburgh. An individual must be at least 16 years old, and e-scooter operators shall be granted all of the rights and duties as a bicyclist.

E-scooters will be managed under “Move PGH,” which is a city-led initiative to create an integrated platform allowing residents and visitors access to e-scooters, e-mopeds, carshare, carpool, bikeshare and transit services from the Port Authority of Allegheny County. This legislation does not permit the use of personally-owned e-scooters on public infrastructure in the City of Pittsburgh.