DeLuca Spearheads Effort to Bring Closure to UPMC/Highmark Conflict

The state House of Representatives has passed legislation spearheaded by state Rep. Tony DeLuca (D-Penn Hills) to help resolve the conflict between UPMC and Highmark. 

The vote passed with a 186 to 6 vote on Thursday. DeLuca's district serves Verona and Plum.

"House Bill 2052 would direct the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to negotiate with Highmark on a contract," DeLuca said in a press release. "If they cannot reach an agreement, provisions of the bill would trigger a mediation phase and, ultimately, binding arbitration if that becomes necessary."

DeLuca said the vote follows six months of House and Senate Insurance Committee hearings, letters, media events and negotiations.

"This issue is much too important to sit back and watch or just let the process play out," DeLuca, Democratic chairman of the House Insurance Committee, said. "I am hopeful that UPMC will go back to the negotiating table with Highmark.

"Highmark is one of the largest health insurers in western Pennsylvania and insures over 2 million people – that is just too many lives to leave hanging on something as essential as health care coverage."

DeLuca said H.B. 2052 was sponsored by Rep. Randy Vulakovich, (R-Shaler).

"This is not a partisan issue," said DeLuca, second sponsor of the legislation. "We cannot just stand by and watch our constituents lose access to 3,000 doctors and 20 hospitals.