Recognizing heroes in health care

October 26, 2023

Advanced Practice Provider Week is set aside to celebrate, highlight and honor the countless positive contributions our health care heroes make. The UPMC Advanced Practice Provider Advisory Council committee in coordination with UPMCAltoona would like to recognize the outstanding care and APPsolute excellence that our APPs provide to all of our patients as well as to recognize the critical role they play as part of the annual APP week celebration held this year during Oct. 25-30. The term encompasses a variety of health care professionals, including Physician Assistants, Nurse ...

Horrific attack on Israel hits home

October 14, 2023

The horrific attacks on Israel and Israelis by Hamas and Hezbollah that have continued over what should have been the joyous celebration of Simchat Torah — where we renew our reading of, and commitment to, our sacred scriptures — have left many of us stunned and bereft. Across my Facebook feed, friends and colleagues have posted notices from other colleagues and friends whose loved ones have been killed or are still missing. As I scanned the messages, I found one name — the name of someone I do not know but whose family intersects with mine. That’s the way Jewish ...

Health-care plan catering to veterans

October 6, 2023

As both a veteran and the Director of Program Innovation & Improvement for UPMC Health Plan, I understand the health-care needs of Pennsylvania’s veterans. When I saw my retired veteran father struggle to get the affordable health care he needed, I knew I had to take action. Military-issued retirement benefits include TRICARE For Life when the retiree is Medicare eligible. TRICARE For Life provides prescription drug coverage. “Medicare Advantage” plans offer benefits that TRICARE does not, including vision, dental, and behavioral health coverage and caregiver supports — ...

Pivotal time for PA higher education

October 5, 2023

In early July, a vote to fund the public missions of Penn State and our fellow state-related universities ended in a stalemate. Nearly three months later, this funding for our Pennsylvania students remains unresolved. I am urging lawmakers to vote to approve funding for our university and ultimately our students. Penn State uses state funds exclusively to support in-state tuition for Pennsylvania students and families, which last year saved our 42,000 resident undergraduates an average of $15,000 each on tuition costs compared to their out-of-state peers. This discount is ...

Congress should pass Moms Act

October 3, 2023

Pennsylvania moms are facing a crisis. For far too long, too many mothers have died as a result of childbirth or pregnancy. The sad reality is that many of these deaths are preventable. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2021, a shocking 1,205 women died due to maternal causes nationally, a sharp increase from 861 in 2020 and 754 in 2019. Even more concerning is the stark racial disparity, with the maternal mortality rate for Black women estimated to be 3.5 times higher than that of white women. The CDC reports that 84% of these deaths could have ...

9-1-1 extension should be approved

September 27, 2023

Friday, June 23, 2023, 11:55 a.m. I will never forget the date and the time. My wife was in grave danger of dying. I had been out shopping for the reception held after Friday-evening religious services, and I went looking for her. I found her sitting in the bathroom. Her face was contorted, and she couldn’t speak intelligibly. I took out my cellphone and dialed the three numbers that most Americans now know instinctively. 9-1-1. I give the operator my name and address, and then said, “My wife is having a stroke.” From that moment, a sophisticated and capable ...