Brewster Applauds the Highmark – UPMC Agreement for Open Access to Health Network

Brewster Applauds the Highmark – UPMC Agreement for Open Access to Health Network

June 24, 2019

Harrisburg – June 24, 2019 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) released the following statement concerning the 10-year agreement between Highmark and UPMC to permit in-network access to UPMC doctors and hospitals. 

The agreement was announced less than a week before those with Highmark insurance would have lost in-network access to UPMC doctors and facilities. 

Brewster’s comments follow:

“The agreement today will preserve health care options and is excellent and welcomed news.  The agreement will relieve tension and anxiety from patients who were caught in the middle between the providers.

“In the Pittsburgh area, we have world class health care.  Those who are sick and need help should be able to continue to access care from professionals they are comfortable with, regardless of the insurance that they carry.   

“Highmark and UPMC have a responsibility to serve those who need care and I applaud them for their ability to reach this agreement.  Insurance coverage should not be a barrier that prevents a sick patient from seeing a doctor or provider of their choice. 

“I applaud Governor. Tom Wolf, Attorney General Josh Shapiro, officials from UPMC and Highmark, Senator Jay Costa, Representative Dan Frankel and so many others for digging in and working toward a solution to this very difficult issue.”

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Sen. Brewster Applauds Highmark- WPAHS Merger

April 29, 2013

Harrisburg, April 29, 2013 –Following the state Insurance Department’s approval today of Highmark’s proposed merger with the West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS), state Sen. Jim Brewster released the following statement:

“After a long and extensive process, I am pleased that the state Insurance Department has approved this merger.  It will mean better delivery of health-care services, reduced costs to consumers, greater job and economic development opportunities and a robust level of competition throughout the region.

“This merger can only enhance the already world renowned reputation of Western Pennsylvania’s health-care institutions.  I applaud the state Insurance Department’s ability to forge a compromise in this difficult and complex matter.

“I will continue to monitor this process to ensure that all consumers and employees in our region benefit as a result of the approved merger.”

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