Harrisburg – June 6, 2014 – Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said today he has sent a letter to Gov. Tom Corbett asking for a meeting with lawmakers who have sought a resolution of the contract dispute between Highmark Inc. and UPMC.
Specifically, Sen. Costa said lawmakers want to meet with the governor’s “Patients First” team to ensure that unlimited access for patients to doctors and health-care facilities are part of the discussion.
The “Patients First” initiative, announced earlier this week, includes the state’s health and insurance commissioners who are to meet with managers at UPMC and Highmark to establish “clarity” about the health care access after Jan. 1, 2015.
In the letter, Costa said he is “troubled” that the governor’s team has met with UPMC and Highmark without legislative involvement and that the stated goal of the initiative is “clarity” rather than health care access for all.
“Meetings are important, and engagement and open dialogue are necessary, but the discussion must include in-network access to doctors and facilities for all if a patient has insurance,” Costa said. “The governor’s team should meet with lawmakers who have been actively seeking a long-term solution to the UPMC-Highmark impasse because we have plenty to offer.”
Costa and Sen. Randy Vulakovich (R-Allegheny) have sponsored Senate Bills 1247 and 1248, which would allow consumers access to hospitals and doctors regardless of the insurance they are carrying. Similar legislation has also been introduced in the House.
“No patient who has insurance should wonder whether they can see their doctor or be treated in a nearby hospital,” Costa said. “These are non-profits and there is a compelling interest in brokering an agreement that includes access for all, without restrictions.
“We have legislation drafted and introduced that will solve the problem without reservation and that proposed solution should be part of the talks.”
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