Reschenthaler Supports Proposed Affiliation of Washington Health System and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chief Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) sent a letter to Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan expressing support for the proposed integration and affiliation of Washington Health System (WHS) and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).
In the letter, Reschenthaler wrote:
“Rural hospitals across our nation face significant challenges, such as massive deficits driven by lower occupancy rates, increasing inflation and insurance costs, and reduced reimbursement rates. […] This investment in southwestern Pennsylvania’s economy will increase job growth, access to care, and continued involvement in our local communities.”
UPMC, the largest non-governmental employer in the commonwealth with 95,000 employees, has committed to investing $300 million in capital and continuing critical WHS services, including women's health, cardiac surgery, internal medicine, surgery, and other clinical services. UPMC will also maintain WHS as an inpatient acute care general hospital with core services like emergency, diagnostic, ambulatory, and primary care. Without this integration, WHS would see future cuts in care and service, eventually leading to a potential closure of the health system.
Additionally, UPMC will honor collective bargaining agreements at WHS and will not interrupt access to care or force patients to switch or convert their insurance.
Read the full letter here.