A NEW ERA contributed: A employee modifications signage on Washington Well being System's primary campus to replicate its new affiliation with UPMC.
WASHINGTON, Pa. — Washington Well being System has introduced that it has formally merged with UPMC, turning into UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene.
The announcement comes on the heels of Pennsylvania's lawyer common giving the merger the inexperienced mild after addressing considerations concerning the transaction's potential influence on sufferers, employees and the group.
Beneath the settlement, hospitals should negotiate with any keen medical insurance plan and decide to single, last-best-offer arbitration to resolve any disputed contractual phrases.
In an announcement, Brook Ward, president of UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene, stated the affiliation “protects the vitality of an important group asset and solidifies a wholesome future for Washington and Greene counties for generations to return.”
Plans for the merger have been introduced in June 2023, with UPMC committing to speculate not less than $300 million over a 10-year interval to boost scientific companies and improve amenities at each native hospitals.
After information of the merger's completion broke on June 1, a spokesperson for the union representing WHS staff stated they continue to be cautious.
Dave Bates, spokesman for SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, stated UPMC closed group hospitals, lower companies, laid off hundreds of well being care staff and lower salaries.
“These are just some of the the reason why frontline healthcare staff at Washington Hospital are very skeptical,” Bates stated.
Bates famous that whereas the settlement has essential protections, it doesn’t assure that amenities will stay open or that jobs or companies is not going to be lower.
“We’re united in holding UPMC accountable to ship on the settlement and fulfill the guarantees made to our group to speculate $300 million and preserve all companies, entry to insurance policy, jobs and union contract requirements,” he stated.
Leslie C. Davis, president and CEO of UPMC, stated the system has “a protracted and profitable historical past of affiliations with like-minded organizations.”
“We all know how important these hospitals on this area are to preserving wanted well being care companies and the livelihoods of hundreds of individuals affected by them, and we’re delighted to welcome UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene to UPMC,” he stated in an announcement saying the completion of the challenge. fusion.
SEIU representatives stated they gained't have to attend lengthy to see if UPMC's guarantees ring true because the union heads into contract negotiations on the finish of the yr.
“We hope that UPMC will acknowledge our union, honor our contract, and have interaction in good religion negotiations. “We’re 100% decided to win a powerful contract and proceed to advocate for high quality care and good jobs with a voice at Washington Well being,” stated a union consultant.
In line with the announcement, UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene will preserve a neighborhood board comprised of 11 legacy WHS board members and 5 newly appointed members from UPMC.
The affiliation is not going to have an effect on group members' in-network entry to WHS hospitals or physicians, in response to the discharge, and UPMC Washington, UPMC Greene and their affiliated outpatient amenities will proceed to honor current contracts with regional insurers. and nationwide.