Jul. 08, 2022
HARRISBURG?– Following the news of UPMC’s announcement of its intention to close In Touch Hospice in Somerset Township, Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar (R-Somerset/Bedford) is expressing major concern over the health and well-being of patients who depend upon this service.
Metzgar released the following statement condemning UPMC’s action:
“I am incredibly incensed over the news that the residents of Somerset County, who built the facility and who need the care In Touch Hospice provides, may no longer have this service thanks to insulting decisions from the UPMC management. Instead of making patient care the priority, UPMC decides to purchase small community hospitals and shut down anything that they believe does not make them enough money. UPMC enjoys the benefits its nonprofit status but seems to forget to fulfill its nonprofit mission.
“Members of our community have invested their hard-earned dollars to build a wonderful facility and now UPMC intends to scuttle one of our most wonderful assets, causing patients and their loved ones to scramble to determine what is next. Hospice centers like this one provide an invaluable service through exceptional care and moral support. While in-home care should remain an option to those who deem it to be the best fit, in-facility care should garner the same liberty.
“I have requested House Health Committee Chair Kathy Rapp hold a hearing as soon as possible on whether UPMC is truly a nonprofit for the good of the community or just another monopoly eliminating rural health care access. Just because we live in Somerset County doesn’t mean we UPMC can treat us like our health doesn’t matter.”
Representative Carl Walker Metzgar
69th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Nate Temple
717.260.6396
ntemple@pahousegop.com
RepMetzgar.com/ Facebook.com/RepMetzgar