Harrisburg, April 29, 2013 – State Sen. Jay Costa released the following statement on the state Insurance Department’s approval of Highmark’s proposed affiliation with the West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS).
Costa has been a strong proponent of the affiliation of the insurer and the hospital system as a means to promote competition in the delivery of health care in Western Pennsylvania, preserve community access and foster the growth of jobs in the industry.
“I am very pleased with the decision by the Insurance Department to permit the affiliation of Highmark and WPAHS. This affiliation is critical to a fair, competitive and robust health-care service delivery system in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
“For too long, there has been anxiety and apprehension about health-care choices and there has been too much controversy. This approval is one step in the long-term process of resolving all the health-care issues involving Highmark, WPAHS and UPMC.
“Consumers deserve a better, stronger WPAHS health-care system with choices. The affiliation will result in greater access, reduced costs, more employment opportunities, and it will help sustain communities.
“The affiliation is critical for the future of high-quality, reasonably priced health care in the Pittsburgh area. The community hospitals that are part of the WPAHS are more than health-care operations. For many in the Pittsburgh area, these facilities are lifelines.
“I am hopeful that this is just the beginning of reforming the health-care delivery system in the Pittsburgh area.”
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