West-Penn Highmark reach a $475 million deal

[greg42]

Highmark sues UPMC over "misleading" ad campaign:

http://post-gazette.com/pg/11194/1160130-100-0.stm

Continues to be a repeat of 10 years ago, when this also happened.

Also, the state may intervene:

http://post-gazette.com/pg/11194/1160130-100-0.stm

But that wouldn't happen until next year at least.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Originally Posted by Penguins Fan

Highmark is no cartel, and never has been. Highmark has faced insurance carrier competition in Western Pennsylvania for many years and is in direct competition with Capital Blue Cross in Central Pennsylvania.

UPMC operates a health care insurance plan in addition to their hospital network of more than 20 hospitals. Aetna, Health America, Cigna and United Health Care also offer health insurance coverage in Western Pennsylvania.

Ah, but emotions are so much easier to express than research.

Ah yes, how about a non-profit like Highmark doubling it's profit?

Profit doubles for health insurer Highmark | PennLive.com

While laying off 300 local workers and hiring contractors (read: no benefits):

Highmark seeks 220 more buyouts from workers

Not to shabby for a non-profit to buy out other hospitals:

Highmark, West Penn Allegheny Health System in talks | Pittsburgh Business Times

How about UPMC hurting care for patients to fill their own greed?:

Doctors: UPMC-Highmark split would hurt care

Or a non-profit like UPMC opening hospitals in Ireland, Italy, and Cyprus while closing down Braddock:

UPMC to run hospital on island of Cyprus - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Those are the real facts, and these companies are putting the health of you, me, our families and our friends at risk. But hey, must be my emotions getting in the way or something.

[Penguins Fan]

Profit is a dirty word, isn't it, Carl?

I told everyone to obtain a copy of the Annual Report for each of the companies in question and examine them. Media types cannot be relied upon to get the facts straight.

Carl, I worked in DC for six years. If you believe those people can run health care better, you belong in a rubber room and a straitjacket.

[hempfield mania]

No matter what happens, UPMC and Highmark should lose their "tax free" status. That, right there, is one of PGH's biggest problems with tax revenue. Too many "not for profits" not paying their fair share for city services.

If they were truly "not for profit", then I could agree with their tax status but they obviously are out to make $.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Originally Posted by Penguins Fan

Profit is a dirty word, isn't it, Carl?

I told everyone to obtain a copy of the Annual Report for each of the companies in question and examine them. Media types cannot be relied upon to get the facts straight.

Carl, I worked in DC for six years. If you believe those people can run health care better, you belong in a rubber room and a straitjacket.

Hey, sounds like you're getting emotions in the way of facts.

[BrianTH]

Of course Medicare and the VA both operate very efficiently and have high levels of satisfaction. But I digress.

[rhondee]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Of course Medicare and the VA both operate very efficiently and have high levels of satisfaction. But I digress.

You're right Bri. In fact, Medicare sets most of the standards that all the private insurers follow.

It's probably one of the few, or maybe the only example of when a government program is actually run more efficiently than a private entity.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by rhondee

It's probably one of the few, or maybe the only example of when a government program is actually run more efficiently than a private entity.

There are actually a decent number of things that private entities just aren't particularly good at doing, which is more or less why we have governments at all. And when you try to do those things with private entities anyway, you often end up with inefficiencies (if you don't have a complete failure first).

And I think it is becoming increasing obvious that in a modern developed country, providing health insurance may have to be added to that list of things that private entities can't do very well.