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.”
###
Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. on today’s ruling:
I am disappointed to see UPMC prevail in today’s ruling from the Commonwealth Court. Their unwillingness to prioritize patient care ahead of their profit margin cannot go on. If we don’t have a solution to the contract dispute by June 30, many folks in Western Pennsylvania will be thrown into health care chaos.
I’ll continue my work on the legislative solution, and I hope that AG Shapiro immediately begins work on an appeal of this decision to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Pittsburgh, Pa. − May 28, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. expressed hopefulness at today’s ruling from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in the case of Commonwealth vs. UPMC.
In a 4-3 decision, the Supreme Court reversed and remanded the case back to the Commonwealth Court.
“I am pleased to report that the PA Supreme Court reversed and remanded the Commonwealth Court’s decision on the UPMC contract case back to the Commonwealth Court.
The Commonwealth Court will now have a hearing, consistent with this ruling.
Today’s decision doesn’t extend the June deadline for the UPMC-Highmark contract, but it continues this important conversation on health care access in Western Pennsylvania and the entire Commonwealth by requiring the Commonwealth Court to expeditiously determine whether the consent decree may be extended beyond June 30, 2019.
I was proud to sign onto an amicus brief in support of AG Josh Shapiro’s case, along with many of my colleagues in the PA Senate Democratic Caucus.
We’ll continue work on a legislative solution, but I’m heartened by the Supreme Court’s decision today.”
-Senator Costa
Pittsburgh, Pa. − February 6, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today circulated a memo seeking cosponsors for legislation that would require UPMC and Highmark to either contract with each other for services or enter mandatory arbitration if they fail to come to an agreement on their own.
The bill addresses the issue of integrated delivery networks throughout the Commonwealth; however, this issue is particularly problematic in southwestern Pennsylvania given the ongoing dispute between UPMC and Highmark. While the two are currently operating under a consent decree, that order will expire in June of this year.
Under existing law, there is no mechanism to resolve contract disputes between large integrated delivery networks, like UPMC, Allegheny Health Network, and Geisinger, which could threaten patient access and choice. Under Senator Costa’s legislation, if networks fail to come to an agreement on their own, they would be compelled to enter mandatory arbitration to settle the dispute.
“Both parties need to come to the table, negotiate and cultivate a relationship that will allow the residents of Western Pennsylvania to get the care they need. It’s time to undo the damage caused by the divorce of these two companies. Disputes between enormous, profitable companies cannot get in the way of patients and their care,” said Senator Costa. “Health care consumers should not have to worry about whether their insurance will be accepted when they’re sick, injured or simply seeking preventive care. Their only worry should be getting healthy. This legislation can relieve that stress and establish consistency for integrated delivery networks.”
There are strong consumer protection and public policy reasons for adopting this legislation.
First, by requiring hospitals and physicians operating as part of an integrated delivery network to contract with all insurers, consumers will not be denied care, or worse abandoned mid-treatment, simply because they hold one type of insurance over another. All consumers should be afforded access to these vital hospital and physician services, regardless of which insurance card they carry.
Second, the legislation will also eliminate the ability of any dominant hospital system from demanding unreasonable rates for services from insurers, and in turn raising the overall cost of health care because they are the “must have” system in the area.
For more information on the legislation, read the full cosponsorship memo and follow its progress here.
Pittsburgh, PA − May 8, 2018 − Governor Tom Wolf today announced the certification of eight medical facilities as academic, clinical research programs for medical marijuana. Among those certified is the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. applauded the decision to certify UPMC and looks forward to the work the facility produces.
“UPMC is already a top notch medical resource in our community, and this additional certification is going to enhance its research capabilities,” said Senator Costa. “When we considered medical marijuana legislation at the state level, we were highly interested in the outcomes of children and people with epilepsy when treated with this medication. I’m anxious to see the research and conclusions UPMC is able to reach.”
More than 37,000 patients have registered to participate in the medical marijuana program, with over 16,000 who have received their identification cards and received medical marijuana at a dispensary. 1,000 physicians have registered for the program with more than 600 certified as practitioners.
Since Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program was created, the Administration has:
- Completed temporary regulations for growers/processors, dispensaries, physicians, patients, laboratories, and academic clinical research centers and clinical registrants, all of which have been published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin;
- Issued Phase I permits to grower/processors and dispensaries;
- Developed the Medical Marijuana Physician Workgroup; Convened the Medical Marijuana Advisory Board;
- Approved six training providers for physician continuing-education;
- Approved four laboratories to test medication before it is delivered to patients;
- Launched registries for patients and caregivers, as well as physicians;
- Approved 23 dispensaries and 12 grower/processers to begin operations;
- Issued permit applications for Phase II of the program for grower/processors and dispensaries.
The Medical Marijuana Program offers medical marijuana to patients who are residents of Pennsylvania and under a practitioner’s care for the treatment of a serious medical condition as defined by the Medical Marijuana Law.
###
