Tag Archives: UPMC

VOTERS SAY UPMC IS A BULLY AND WILL VOTE FOR THE CANDIDATE PLEDGED TO HOLD UPMC ACCOUNTABLE

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Voters concerns about UPMC

Which one of these is your biggest concern about UPMC, if any?


A new poll of likely Democratic primary voters commissioned by Make It Our UPMC reveals that concerns about the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) paying taxes are key issues in this year’s mayoral primary. Making UPMC pay its fair share of taxes was named as the top issue on the minds of 30% primary voters, including 33% of undecided voters. Overall, the unfavorable view of UPMC in Pittsburgh has increased sharply, from a 28% unfavorable score in October 2012 to 52% unfavorable in the most recent poll, with 32% of voters saying they have a very unfavorable view of UPMC.
“Voter discontent about UPMC’s behavior is growing rapidly,” said Donna Victoria, of Victoria Research & Consulting, a public opinion pollster. “And mayoral candidates should take notice that their position on making UPMC pay a fair share of taxes is a top – and motivating – issue for primary voters.” Voters also assert that they will base their mayoral vote on candidates’ pledging to find a way to ensure UPMC pays its fair share. Seventy-five percent of likely voters, including 64% of undecided voters, say their vote will be motivated by such a pledge.
The poll also offers new insight into what is shaping voter opinions of UPMC.  When asked about their biggest concerns with UPMC, voters responded that UPMC was a bully with too much power (32%), that UPMC doesn’t pay taxes or contribute to Pittsburgh (31%), and that UPMC charges excessive prices to patients (16%).
Seventy percent of voters say it is important that UPMC put patients ahead of profit, but 58% do not believe this is the way UPMC is conducting business.  Fifty-four percent of respondents do not think UPMC charges reasonable prices; and 50 percent do not think UPMC is a “good corporate citizen” in Pittsburgh.
“Treating employees fairly” was the second-most common answer (34%) from voters on what they feel is the most important quality for a major healthcare institution. The poll indicates that fewer than one-third of respondents think that UPMC does treat its employees fairly and 39 percent of voters do not. The poll also finds that 73 percent of respondents support the right of UPMC employees to join a union for reasons ranging from giving employees a voice on the job, better wages and general support of unions.
Full polling results are available at: http://victoriaresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/UPMCinPGHPrimary_mmoFinal_Victoria-Research2.pdf

What Voters Care About: UPMC Tax Avoidance

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Guest Blogger Michael Lamb
City Controller and Community Coordinating Committee member for Make it Our UPMC 
With so many elections right around the corner, we’re hearing a lot about policy — and even more about politics!

Undecided voters' support for a candidate who pledges to make UPMC pay its fair share.

Undecided voters’ support for a candidate who pledges to make UPMC pay its fair share.


This spring, we learned that one smart policy also happens to be smart politics: taking a strong position on UPMC’s obligation to our community and our City’s challenge to the healthcare institution’s charity status.
And you don’t have to take my word for it.
Recently, a poll conducted for the Tribune Review shows that Pittsburgh’s challenge of UPMC’s nonprofit status has the support of an overwhelming majority of likely voters. The survey of 400 likely Democratic voters was conducted on April 1 and 2 and found that 73% of those surveyed think the challenge makes sense.
Now, a new poll shows that UPMC’s tax avoidance is the #1 issue for many primary voters, especially for those voters who are undecided. 
And what should really catch candidates’ eyes is that 75% of likely primary voters, including 64% of undecideds, are willing to cast their vote based on the strength of their position in making UPMC do its fair share.
As taxpayers are being asked to do more and more, and often receiving less and less, it’s perhaps no surprise that Pittsburgh residents are looking for the city’s largest employer, landowner and healthcare provider to partner with us in making our neighborhoods healthy and strong.
In just 5 short months, voters' opinions of UPMC have dramatically declined.

In just 5 short months, voters’ opinions of UPMC have dramatically declined.


Pittsburgh is looking for more from our largest charity.  And we are concerned that UPMC seems less than interested. In just a few short months, public support for UPMC has declined rapidly, even among the majority of people in our city who directly interact with UPMC.  More than half of poll respondents now have an unfavorable view of UPMC, a 24% shift in just the past six months.
What do people really want from UPMC? Seventy percent think a great healthcare provider puts patients ahead of profit.  But nearly 60% of people think UPMC does not. Many also believe that UPMC is not charging reasonable prices and that UPMC is not a “good corporate citizen.”
What else do we know from this new poll?  Voters want UPMC to treat employees fairly. Fully 73% of respondents think UPMC employees would be better off with a union, and over 50% believe this strongly.
The public has spoken, and UPMC should take time to listen.  Pittsburgh wants UPMC to be a better employer and a better neighbor.
Pittsburgh wants those elected this May to make this a priority.
Michael Lamb
Michael Lamb was elected Controller of the City of Pittsburgh in November of 2007. As Controller, Michael Lamb has put a focus on making Pittsburgh government more transparent.  In addition to being City Controller, Lamb serves on the boards of the Kane Foundation, the Catholic Youth Association, the Downtown Pittsburgh YMCA and the 3 Rivers Wet Weather Demonstration Project. He is a member of the Mount Washington – Duquesne Heights Community Development Corporation, and sits on the Board of Fellows of the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute of Politics.  Lamb was also the founding co-chair of A Plus Schools, the community alliance for Pittsburgh Public education.

UPMC, FACING HUP TEST, DECIDES TO BULLY CITY INSTEAD

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UPMC Files Suit Against Pittsburgh Taxpayers

UPMC Files Suit Against Pittsburgh Taxpayers


Paul Wood, UPMC’s spokesman told the Post-Gazette, “…UPMC looks forward to demonstrating in a court of law that we meet all five prongs of the HUP test and that our hospitals easily qualify for the tax-exempt status they unquestionably deserve.”
But now it seems UPMC management isn’t so confident. Perhaps they took a look at the HUP test, the standard Pennsylvania law requires charities to meet, and had second thoughts. Donating a substantial portion of its services? With only 2% of UPMC’s revenues going to charity care that might be a bit of a stretch. Operating entirely free of the private profit motive? It might be kind of hard for UPMC executives to demonstrate that claim while cashing their multi-million dollar paychecks and flying around UPMC’s global empire in private jets.
So instead of showing tax-payers That UPMC’s a charity, the healthcare giant is , suing taxpayers for an undisclosed sum of money, claiming that their civil rights have been violated.
That’s pretty rich, coming from an employer whose violation of its employees rights resulted in an historic settlement that required UPMC to stop harassing, intimidating and discriminating against workers.  Now the $10 billion dollar global health bully wants us to pay it back for the damage we’ve caused by telling the truth about UPMC’s operations.
As E.J. Strassburger, the Pittsburgh attorney representing the City in it’s challenge of UPMC’s charity status, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
““It is unclear to me how asking a court to make a determination whether UPMC is or is not an institution of purely public charity is a violation of its constitutional rights… The painfully obvious bottom line is that the last thing UPMC wants is judicial scrutiny of its non-charitable agenda.”
Join us in holding UPMC accountable to our city – sign onto our code of conduct and demand that UPMC start acting like a true charity – and stop acting like a big bully.
Together We Can Make It Our UPMC

Community Delegation Demands UPMC Bring Back Ron and End Campaign of Persecution Against Workers

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Ron Oakes with a delegation of elected officials, community members, and other UPMC workers.

Ron Oakes with a delegation of elected officials, community members, and other UPMC workers.


Tuesday afternoon, a delegation of elected officials, community members, and UPMC workers went to UPMC Presbyterian President John Innocenti’s office demanding that he bring back fired union supporter Ron Oakes. This is the second time UPMC has fired Ron as part of its campaign of intimidation of workers who are standing up for better jobs and a voice at work.
The delegation was not allowed to meet with Mr. Innocenti, but only allowed to briefly speak with his assistant.

See photos of the delegation in action on Facebook

In the days since our city challenged UPMC’s status as a charity, UPMC has stepped up its campaign against workers attempting to improve their jobs. In response, workers are filing over 20 new charges against UPMC.
The new Unfair Labor Practices allege that UPMC is engaging in a systematic pattern of interfering with, restraining and coercing employees who are forming their union.  Specifically, since the historic settlement with the National Labor Relations Board, where UPMC committed to uphold the law, UPMC managers and supervisors have threatened employees with disciplinary action (including termination), have surveilled employees who are known union supporters, interrogated and harassed other union supporters, have warned employees that they are prohibited from speaking about the union, and has altered duties and responsibilities all in an insidious and unlawful effort to prevent employees from forming their union.  UPMC has also summoned police and threatened to arrest employees who were simply talking about the union on non-work time.  Federal law protects employees’ right to speak about the union.
UPMC’s anti-union actions reflect a clear pattern of targeting workers who have been vocal and public in their support for forming a workers’ organization. In addition to violating federal law, many of UPMC’s actions also violate the settlement that UPMC agreed to with the Board on February of 7, 2013, to avoid going to a public trial over 80 alleged violations of federal labor law.
At a time when many in the city are questioning UPMC’s behavior, the Hospital system’s repeated use of scarce healthcare funds to retaliate against workers standing up for fairness on the job is the latest proof that UPMC isn’t a real charity.
Despite UPMC’s outrageous behavior, workers are refusing to back down. But they need your help.
Show Ron and the rest of the UPMC workers that you have their back by donating to the UPMC Workers’ Hardship Fund today.

UPMC Fires Union Activist Ron Oakes For Second Time

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Union Activist Ron Oakes

Union Activist Ron Oakes


Just weeks after workers won a historic settlement against UPMC and forced the hospital to reinstate fired workers and union activists Frank Lavelle and Ron Oakes, UPMC is at it again.
On the same day Pittsburgh’s Mayor announced the City would be challenging UPMC’s charity status, UPMC fired Ron Oakes AGAIN.  Ron is widely known as someone who goes above and beyond for his patients and is quick to lend a hand to his coworkers.
Support Ron and the rest of the UPMC workers in their courageous struggle by signing the petition to demand that UPMC bring Ron back to work immediately.
UPMC has also stepped up its harassment, surveillance, and in some cases, suspension of workers for their union support. UPMC even called the police on workers who were talking about the union on their lunch break.
Despite UPMC’s outrageous behavior, workers are refusing to back down. But they need your help.
Sign the petition and tell UPMC to reinstate Ron today!

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Endorses Mayor’s Challenge of UPMC’s Tax Exempt Status

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post-gazette

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Endorses Mayor’s Challenge of UPMC’s Tax Exempt Status


In an editorial on March 27th, the Post-Gazette officially endorsed our city’s decision to challenge the tax exempt status of UPMC, calling it “a fight worth having.”
Pennsylvania’s “HUP test” which sets the standard for charitable organizations has five distinct prongs, and organizations must pass all of them to be deemed a charity worthy of tax-exemptions. The Post-Gazette‘s argument for supporting the challenge to UPMC focuses in on the 5th of these prongs, which states that an “institution of purely public charity” must “operate entirely free of private profit motive.”

“UPMC closed Braddock hospital in a poverty-stricken area, saying it could not afford the red ink, at the same time it was building one in Monroeville, a prosperous community where another modern hospital already existed.
UPMC, which vigorously promotes its own health insurance plan, does not want to provide affordable access to Highmark insurance customers, who represent the majority of the Western Pennsylvania market.”

 These examples raise serious questions about UPMC’s business practices, and whether or not UPMC is in fact an organization that operates free of private profit motive.
Read the rest of the Post-Gazette article here.

News Roundup: Pittsburgh Challenges UPMC’s Charitable Tax Exemptions

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Seems like everyone’s talking about the city’s decision to stand up to UPMC. It’s great to see so many people agreeing that if UPMC wants the benefits of being a charity, it needs to start acting like one.
Here‘s some of the best coverage:.
Mayor v. Moneybags: UPMC could be beloved if it put patients over profits and perks – Sally Kalson
“It’s based on the correct impression that a nonprofit hospital’s top priority should be the patients, not building a monopoly. And that a $10 billion system with a billion-dollar surplus and $2 billion to $3 billion in reserves should be taking care of many more indigent sick people than UPMC has been treating — especially when it owns land that a Post-Gazette investigation valued at $1.6 billion, even as it enjoys a $20-million tax break every year, underwritten by the good citizens of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. “
Profit motive: The city’s UPMC suit will turn on one key factor – Post-Gazette
It is also known for its bitter public dispute with another health-care giant, Highmark, which wants to partner with the West Penn Allegheny Health System, a rival hospital network. UPMC does not want to renew its contract after 2014 with the region’s dominant insurance provider, meaning Highmark customers will lose in-network access to most UPMC services.
UPMC considers all that merely a consequence of competition. The community, by and large, sees it as a double-cross to the people and region whose donations, health premiums and tax dollars built UPMC.
 Ravenstahl pledges challenge to UPMC’s tax-exempt status – Moriah Balingit
The mayor cited UPMC’s closure of hospitals in low-income communities, like Braddock, in favor of building hospitals in more affluent communities and facilities abroad. He also talked about the company’s hard stand with rival Highmark insurance, some of whose customers have been denied care in UPMC’s facilities.
Ravenstahl: Pittsburgh sues to remove UPMC’s tax-exempt status – Jeremy Boren and Bobby Kerlik
Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said city taxpayers should not subsidize the $10 billion hospital system that has fueled UPMC’s rise as Pennsylvania’s largest employer and the region’s richest nonprofit organization.

UPMC doesn’t exactly smell like a nonprofit – Eric Heyl

Ravenstahl referred to the self-described $10 billion global health enterprise’s funhouse mirror insistence that it is a public charity, a legitimate nonprofit entity. The mayor tossed a large rock toward that mirror by announcing the city is legally challenging UPMC’s tax-exempt status; shattering it could net the city $20 million annually.

City of Pittsburgh v. UPMC: Necessary lawsuits – Trib-Review

UPMC was quick to spin the City of Pittsburgh’s legal challenge of its tax-exempt status as a vendetta fueled by politicians doing the bidding of organized labor and business interests. It’s a smokescreen, of course. And rationalizations of such grand conspiracies can’t hide the fact the “nonprofit” claims of this $10 billion worldwide hospital behemoth are ripe for vetting in a court of law.

 UPMC, Pittsburgh stake positions for court fight on nonprofit status – Sean D. Hamill

Mr. Strassburger cites UPMC’s own documents and officials’ statements that show that UPMC may be providing charity care of anywhere from $204 million, or 3.6 percent of net patient revenues, to $87.2 million, or under 1 percent.
Community Blues – UPMC finally feels our pain – Chris Potter
But Ravenstahl’s press conference wasn’t a complete disaster. The media completely ignored UPMC’s most damning critic: Brookline resident Kendra Bowser.
While the politicians talked about CEO pay and the cost of UPMC’s tax exemptions, Bowser was more succinct: “I’m no longer permitted to see the doctors who have been able to give me the ability to live my life,” she told reporters.

Elected Officials Support City’s Decision To Challenge UPMC’s Tax Status

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It’s great to see so many of our elected leaders standing in support of our City’s challenge to UPMC’s status as purely public charity. They know that we need our largest landowner to contribute to city services, that we need our largest healthcare provider to give more care, and to care for everyone regardless of insurance, and that we need our largest employer to respect workers’ rights on the job.
Here’s a round-up of other elected leaders who are standing up to UPMC on behalf of the hardworking tax-payers, homeowners, small businesses and working people of Pittsburgh.
“The City of Pittsburgh is now taking an appropriate and long-awaited step forward in demonstrating that there will be consequences for mega-charities whose leaders do not meet the standards of a purely public charity.” – City Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak
“As Controller, I see the impact on all of our City residents when Pittsburgh’s largest landowner, largest employer, and dominant health system doesn’t pay its fair share. We all pay the price in reduced City services and higher taxes on working families.” – City Controller Michael Lamb
“UPMC has been aggressive in buying hospitals and taking property off the tax rolls, paying its executives exorbitant salaries, and investing in overseas operations while taking advantage of lucrative tax exemptions that are supposed to be reserved for true charities. When UPMC doesn’t pay its fair share to support public services, every taxpayer ends up picking up the tab.” – PA. Democratic Party Chair Jim Burn
“A good first step” and “As mayor, I will continue challenging UPMC in court.” – City Councilman Bill Peduto
“The law requires that for entitlement to the tax exemptions that go along with being classified as a charity an organization must operate ‘entirely free of private profit motive.’ Its large size is not a reason to hold UPMC to a higher standard than other any other charity, but it is a reason to insist that UPMC live up to the same standards that the rest of charitable, non-profit organizations live by.” – State Rep. Erin Molchany
“Shutting out the competitor’s cardholders is an example of a business practice that is both unethical and inhumane. It is one of the most alarming things I have seen in all my years as a legislator. UPMC’s business practices are interfering with the health and safety of real people, people who we represent as elected officials. UPMC’s board and executive team have a mission, and a large part that mission is to provide care to those in need.”  – State Rep. Anthony M. DeLuca
“Our state Supreme Court justices have been explicit that any organization seeking to make its property tax-exempt must put the interests of the community before its own bottom line. Many of my constituents have asked me the same question that Pittsburgh is asking today – is UPMC a somewhat public charity, a mostly public charity, or is it truly a purely public charity as our state constitution requires?” – State Rep. Dan B. Frankel
“Today we are taking on this issue directly. UPMC’s income is largely exempt from taxes.  Yet, it is increasingly run like a for-profit company, paying its executives multi-million dollar salaries with perks, renting fancy offices and leasing corporate jets and helicopters, while jumping into new business activities, for-profit ventures, and overseas expansion.” – State Sen. Jim Ferlo
“Despite nearly one billion in profits over two years, UPMC pays many of its employees so little that they are forced to depend on public assistance to pay for basics like food and rent. And when UPMC workers speak out about improving their jobs, UPMC management tries to silence them. That’s not good for UPMC workers, and it’s not good for Pittsburgh’s middle class.” Pittsburgh City Councilman Daniel Lavelle
“Genuinely charitable nonprofit entities should enjoy the benefits of tax exemptions that are conferred under Pennsylvania law.  But entities that comport themselves like for-profit businesses at virtually every turn in order to amass gigantic profits should not be able to shift their tax burdens to the hardworking residents of this County simply by calling themselves ‘charities’ and referring to their profits as ‘surpluses.’” – County Councilman John DeFazio
“I commend Mayor Ravenstahl and the city of Pittsburgh for challenging UPMC’s non-profit status and for bringing this issue before the Court to determine whether UPMC truly deserves its current non-profit status.  UPMC should welcome the opportunity to provide transparency and prove to the public that they are truly non-profit, once and for all.” – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana
“This is about fairness for the average Pittsburgh citizen and small business owner, who shoulder a greater burden of taxation for those organizations who receive the privilege of a property tax exemption. They deserve to know that all organizations are paying their fair share and truly deserve their tax exemptions.” – County Controller Chelsa Wagner

State legislator calls UPMC Business Practices Unethical and Inhumane.

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On March 5th, State Representative Tom DeLuca sent a scathing letter to UPMC CEO Jeffery Romoff  in response to UPMC turning away Highmark insurance patients who subscribe to the Community Blue program – even those who wish to pay in cash in order to keep their existing doctor.
In his letter Mr. DeLuca calls this decision, “unethical and inhumane” and adds:

It is my understanding that UPMC has a Patient Bill of Rights. Item No. 13 of that document states, in part, that “a patient has the right to medical and nursing services without discrimination based upon source of payment.”

“This may be about business to you, but your business practices are interfering with the health and safety of real people, people who we represent as elected officials,” wrote Mr. DeLuca, who hopes to find a way through legislation to make this practice illegal.
Not only is this practice unethical, and in violation of UPMC’s own patients’ bill of rights; it represents one more reason why UPMC is not a real charity.
Read the full letter here.

Historic Day: City Officially Challenges UPMC's Tax Exempt Status

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Mayor Luke Ravenstahl Asks, “Is UPMC Really a Charity?”

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl Asks, “Is UPMC Really a Charity?”


Yesterday was a day for the history books. After months of educating our neighbors, two hearings, three canvasses and thousands of signatures on our Code of Conduct, we were thrilled and proud when our City announced its challenge to UPMC’s tax exempt status on the basis that they are not living up to their obligations as a charity and the tax exemptions that flow from that status. Congratulations to our City and to our movement!

“They’re not a charity,” Mr. Ravenstahl said. “They haven’t been operating as a charity, and it’s time that this community step up in that regard.” – Post Gazette

Over the last decade we have watched while UPMC executives built a corporate empire. They have closed down hospitals in underserved communities and opened them in affluent suburbs. They’ve turned away patients that carry their competitors’ insurance, they’ve paid top executives millions while service workers need food banks, and they’ve failed to pay their fair share to support vital public services like schools and public transportation. All while harassing employees who are exercising their right to form a union to advocate for quality, middle class jobs.

UPMC Needs To Start Putting The Strength And Health Of Our Community First. Sign Onto The Code of Conduct

You have been going door to door, talking to your neighbors, co-workers, friends and family about our movement for a stronger, healthier Pittsburgh. Because of your hard work, we have over 1000 members of our community that have signed on to our Code of Conduct.  Today those voices were heard, and   elected officials at every level of government have added theirs to demand that UPMC start acting like a real charity.

But we know we have to keep building this movement. Sign the Code Of Conduct And Hold UPMC Accountable

Yesterday was a great first step by the City toward finally holding UPMC accountable. This historic step would not have been possible without your help.  But as the Mayor said, this fight will be a long one. Let’s keep standing up to UPMC for a stronger, healthier Pittsburgh.
Together we can Make It Our UPMC.