Highmark—West Penn Allegheny Merger Update

The recent disagreements between Highmark and UPMC have caused great concern and anxiety for the many people who are employed by these health care giants, customers, individuals ... as well as local officials, State Sen. Fontana says.

In 2011, the state’s largest insurer, Highmark, signed an affiliation agreement with the financially troubled West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS) and its five Pittsburgh-area hospitals to create an integrated health system. The goal of the acquisition is for the integrated health system to be a competitor to the largest hospital network in western Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Now, the acquisition agreement between Highmark and WPAHS is set to expire at the end of the month. At this point, it is up to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to make a decision on whether the money being spent by Highmark will compromise the health care system’s ability to pay the claims of its customers while still …

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State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana

Corbett's Health Insurance Decision 'Disappointing,' Fontana Says

State Sen. Wayne Fontana discusses Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett's decision to allow the federal government to run the state's health insurance exchange.

To my great disappointment, Governor Tom Corbett has decided to allow the federal government to run Pennsylvania’s health insurance exchange that will serve an estimated one million Pennsylvanians. Our state now joins 19 other states that have also made the decision to give up states’ rights to decide what’s best for its citizens, with the majority of these states being led by Republican governors. Ironically, these states are going against a fundamental conservative belief that states should make their own decisions rather than to give control to the federal government. The Affordable Care Act was created so that it gives states flexibility in developing a state-based plan. However, Governor Corbett has used this elasticity as something …

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MSgt. John DeLallo

11:38 am on Thursday, December 20, 2012

Ah-ha! Its far superior for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to accept yet another unfunded mandate than to let the Feds pay for their own dirty doings? Is that what you're grousing about, Senator? Get a clue. Please. Pennsylvania is broke, can't afford some necessary services (mental health care comes to mind), and you want to load up the debt by participating in an exchange, all the while not …   more ›

State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana

Fontana Explains Affordable Care Act

State Sen. Fontana explains what "Obamacare" offers, and how other programs will be affected.

For months now, we have watched Highmark and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s (UPMC) battle grow over providing services for so many individuals in our region. I have heard from dozens of my constituents saying government must get involved and stopped this from happening. However, what if you are one of the unfortunate individuals who do not have health insurance to receive these services? Imagine being told you can’t see a doctor based on factors you cannot always control. Don’t these people matter too? After months of partisan debate, in March 2010, Congress narrowly passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in hopes of reducing the nation’s escalating uninsured population. The new mandate, dubbed “Obamacare,” …

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Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Law

The Supreme Court announced Thursday morning that the Affordable Care Act, known to many as Obamacare, mandating every American to purchase health insurance is constitutional. How do you feel about the decision? Vote in our poll or share your thoughts in

The Supreme Court announced Thursday morning that the Affordable Care Act mandating every American to purchase health insurance is constitutional and should stand. The court decided that the government is permitted to penalize individuals who refuse to purchase health insurance, according to NBC News. The Supreme Court ruled that the federal government can levy a "tax" on individuals who do not buy into the system, according to NBC News. The individual health care mandate is the key provision in Obamacare, and some legal experts thought that it could be ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Had it been stripped from the law, many other provisions—such as covering people with pre-existing conditions and not capping insurance coverage…

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Jean Smith

8:43 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012

erika - sorry but it isn't the tax payers that pays for me to go to the emergency room if I need treated. I pay for all my own medical bills. First off, If I need to be seen by a doctor, I go to a MedPlus down on Rt 51 and so far they have been able to treat me when I am sick. and never had to go to an emergency room. Then when they send me the bill, I make a payment out of my own money and not …   more ›

State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana

Consumers Are Stuck in the Middle of Highmark/UPMC Stalemate

Legislation has been introduced to address the issue.

This past week I participated in a news conference in Harrisburg to discuss legislation that would help preserve access to health care for millions of people in western Pennsylvania.  This is a direct result of the stalemate that continues between the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and Highmark. Legislators on both sides of the aisle are urging UPMC and Highmark to break the stalemate and do the right thing for those who rely on the companies for their health care needs. The priority should be on what’s best for the public. It’s easy to get caught up in the business aspect of the stalemate, but I have not lost sight of the fact that patients are the priority here and it’s not fair that they have to be stuck in the middle. …

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JoAnn

9:03 pm on Monday, October 31, 2011

Larry, Thank you for the list of the UPMC Board of Directors. Everyone should call all of them and voice our concerns, albeit, they all know what they are. However, I'm surprised these names haven't been published in the PG's section of the "Letters to the Editor" from angry members of UPMC and Highmark.   more ›