UPMC hypocrisy can't be justified

Western Pennsylvania has been watching the unfolding melodrama between UPMC and Highmark for months now and the sides seem to be further apart than ever. There's no end to media coverage of the war between the two, including countless letters to the editor bemoaning the greed of both agencies and the absolute disregard for patients and providers alike. Yet Highmark isn't doing anything wrong. They continue to attempt to negotiate with the unbending atrocity that is UPMC but without success. Consumers are being bombarded with scare tactics, including advertising campaigns from both organizations. Perhaps worst of all, we're subject to whiny self-righteous op-ed pieces by UPMC executives who, despite their education and credentials, appear to be quite ignorant on various fronts, not the least of which is the basic matter of how to do business. UPMC has no ground to stand on in this matter because their entire argument is nothing but hypocritical whining and excuses that don't hold up against facts.

Lifesaver or just plain old government interference?

Next year, Pennsylvania will begin requiring sprinkler systems in all residential new construction, becoming the first state in the nation with such requirements. According to a Pittsburgh Tribune Review article, the Uniform Construction Code requires sprinklers in residential new construction as of January 1, 2011, and Pennsylvania state laws follow the UCC. Builders and homeowners seem to be up in arms about the new law, claiming that the additional cost is an unreasonable burden. Fire prevention groups and fire experts insist that sprinklers will save thousands of lives, millions in property damage and reduce the burden on municipal services.

Examples of Gross Government Failure

The aforementioned 60 Minutes story also speaks to Medicare patients who have reported fraud but insist that nothing has been done about it. One woman has been reporting fake charges to her account since 2003 but more than 6 years later, Medicare hasn’t put a stop to it.