HARRISBURG — The Passavant Hospital Foundation, formed when Passavant merged into the UPMC Health System in 1997, publicly suggested last year that the hospital might be better off leaving the health system. The foundation went so far as to hire lawyers and accountants to gather evidence that UPMC Health System was on shaky financial ground. […]
Discussion of UPMC dominates Pitt's 2nd appropriations hearing >
March 2nd, 2000Oral arguments March 3 in same-sex benefits case >
March 2nd, 2000Attorneys representing both sides in the lawsuit seeking extension of Pitt health benefits to employees' same-sex partners will square off Downtown tomorrow, March 3. Common Pleas Court of Allegheny County Judge Robert C. Gallo is scheduled to hear oral arguments at 9:30 a.m. in 708 City-County Building from lawyers for Pitt and for seven current […]
Shorter-term disability plan for staff outlined >
March 2nd, 2000A short-term disability plan for classified staff who have worked at Pitt for at least six months will take effect April 1. Such staff who can't work because of long-term illness or injury will, after 30 calendar days, begin receiving 60 percent of their salaries, under the plan. After a total of 26 weeks (including […]
UPCI's Herberman says more tobacco money should go toward medical research in state >
March 2nd, 2000Of the $11 billion that Pennsylvania is ex- pected to receive as its share of the national settlement with tobacco companies, Gov. Ridge has proposed that 10 percent should fund medical research in Pennsylvania. That's not enough, according to Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. At a Feb. 18 hearing […]
University signs exclusive, 3-year contract with UPMC Health Plan >
March 2nd, 2000Beginning July 1 and continuing for three years, UPMC Health Plan will be the sole provider of medical insurance for Pitt employees. University administrators announced the three-year contract last week. Chancellor Mark Nordenberg said the deal offers high-quality health care and a broad range of coverage choices, while holding costs to manageable levels. The premiums […]
Ridge proposes breakdown of state's share of tobacco settlement funds >
March 2nd, 2000Over the next 25 years, Pennsylvania's share of the national settlement with tobacco makers is expected to total $11 billion. It's estimated that the money will be distributed in annual payments ranging from $397 million to $459 million, beginning this year and continuing through the year 2025. Gov. Ridge and the state General Assembly are […]
Faculty Assembly wants input on rate-setting for health insurance >
March 2nd, 2000Faculty Assembly wants a role in setting the payment structure for the University's new health care package, which was announced Feb. 22. (For details, see page 7.) A three-year contract, with UPMC Health System as the sole health care insurance provider, is scheduled to go into effect July 1. At its Feb. 29 meeting, Faculty […]
Great Americans Day more than a holiday at Pitt's Johnstown campus >
March 2nd, 2000While the University has moved observance of Great Americans Day to March, the traditional holiday also is marked at the Johnstown campus. UPJ hosted its third annual Great Americans Day Citizenship Forum Feb. 18 with a lecture on Eleanor Roosevelt, one of the most influential American women of the 20th century. The forum is a […]
Vision insurance costs down 4%; dental insurance rates up 1.4% >
March 2nd, 2000The 3,500 staff and faculty members who buy vision insurance through Pitt will see their monthly premiums actually decrease next year by 4 percent overall. For those who buy dental insurance through the University (likewise, about 3,500 people), the overall rate will go up by 1.4 percent. The new rates will be in effect from […]
SGB honors staff, faculty, administrators >
March 2nd, 2000The Student Government Board (SGB) resurrected a Pitt tradition of the 1930s yesterday. The reinstituted program, called the Faculty Honor Roll, pays tribute to staff and administrators as well as faculty members. A ceremony recognizing the fall term 1999 honorees was held March 1 in the William Pitt union Ballroom. The nomination process was open […]