A Bridgeville woman is seeking congressional help in an effort to reverse a UPMC
policy against accepting the health insurance plan for the region's 7,808
active-duty military personnel, their families and retirees.
Jean Rohal, 40,
said it's shameful that University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospitals and
medical centers turn away active-duty service members from all branches,
including the National Guard and reservists, especially in a time of war and
economic distress.
She said she's been told UPMC doesn't accept Tricare, the
military health plan, because of low reimbursement rates.
The bright note is that West Penn-Allegheny Health Systems do accept Tricare. And I'm guessing UPMC will reverse this atrocious policy pretty darn soon given the inevitable outcry from the flag-waving kitten sweatshirted suburbanites so eager to send your children off to war and theirs' off to college. Not too mention elected officials. Good thing this didn't come out before Jason Altmire's reelection campaign. There are a lot of yellow ribbons up in those parts.
This is pretty egregious. If the reimbursement rates are too low, UPMC needs to have a chat with the US government about that part not take it out on the soldiers, sailors, marines and their families. It is a clear example of why a comprehensive universal health care plan is so critical so every American can access the best medical services possible.
Shame on UPMC.
