UPMC

Harrisburg, June 24, 2019 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today provided the following statement in response to the Highmark/UPMC consent decree extension:

“Today’s announcement is a victory for patients, medical access and quality care throughout southwestern Pennsylvania. I applaud the many advocates, government colleagues and officials from both Highmark and UPMC for their efforts that led to this important agreement.

With this 10-year reprieve in place, it is imperative that we continue to seek a permanent agreement that assures patients access to the doctor, hospital and level of care they need.

While we recognize and respect the fact that both Highmark and UPMC have been vital employers and participants in our region’s economic growth, their leadership should understand that if they continue to operate like for-profit businesses, our property tax laws will treat them as such.”

For example, I previously introduced legislation that would require that large non-profits pay real estate taxes based on the value of their land. This would ensure that all large non-profits are paying their fair share of property taxes and reduce the burden currently being placed on individual taxpayers throughout Allegheny County.”

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