The big picture

Jessica, your patronizing-"People get angry when "not-for-profits" make money, particularly when they make a lot of it. The term not-for-profit does not mean that the organization should not generate excess revenue. It means excess revenue must be reinvested in the organization, not distributed to individuals for personal gain."-would be a little more evident if you you said, "You pathetic little people...." but don't worry, we get it.

As to your logic-the bigwigs in not-for-profits make higher salaries the bigger their agencies grow, profits are needed for growth, and thus many not for profits, like UPMC, make increasing profits and growth their only criteria for success. Serving the public is a phrase used only in PR releases.

Also, I am more than tired of hearing the veiled threat regarding  UPMC's jobs, like they are something UPMC just gives the region. First off, we would be much better off if these folks were working for a FOR profit corporation that actually paid taxes on its earnings and property, and secondly, what is UPMC gonna do, move the jobs to Sharon PA? We know without a doubt it won't shrink.  

the region, especially Oakland is oversaturated with hospitals. As long as you are within 15 minutes by emergency transport...you are close enough, and there are enough around.

I have a loved one in a critical care unit in one of UPMC’s biggest hospitals right now. I could literally tell stories of things I’ve personally witnessed that would make your skin crawl --- in what I had previously believed to be the best hospital in the city. The housekeeping is deplorable in common areas & patient rooms alike (filthy bathrooms, garbage on floors, empty soap and sanitizer dispensers), yet the cleaning people can often be found sitting in the critical care waiting rooms, watching TV or monopolizing the free phones available for the use of patients’ families.

Most (maybe all?) UPMC facilities have a hiring freeze on nurses & aids yet don’t have nearly enough of them to properly attend to patient needs. They’re doing away with many administrative positions which often makes it even more difficult for the patient-care staff to do their jobs properly, thus further endangering patients. The salaries for nurses have recently decreased dramatically in many UPMC units. Workers are dissatisfied or leaving the area entirely as the UPMC monopoly keeps wages in western PA well below average (and well below what they were even 2 years ago). It’s absolutely appalling.

In contrast, a friend of mine recently had a mild heart attack & received an emergency stent at AGH, followed by an ICU stay. They were very well-staffed, extremely attentive to patient/family needs & the place was spotless. Another friend recently had a baby at Forbes Regional. Every inch of the facility was spotless, the units well-staffed & the care personalized. But by all means, let’s enjoy watching UPMC build an unnecessary, expensive new facility across the street to drive their superior competitor out of business.

Another reason why UPMC is utterly disgusting:  They’re NOT putting the profits back into their facilities when they’re cutting jobs, short-staffed & underpaying highly skilled professionals. As a student, I’ve recently come to the sad realization that, as a newly licensed RN in this area, I will GROSS less than $35,000 thanks to the UPMC monopoly. After taxes, uniforms, supplies, benefits, transportation costs, etc. there won’t be much money left.

That’s a pittance for keeping people alive, being a patient advocate, tending to the emotional needs of patients & families, helping people heal, counseling them on nutrition, support groups, social services, etc. A graduate nurse in Harrisburg, Morgantown & other nearby areas earn upwards of $45,000 (and as a GN, you haven’t even passed the state licensing exam yet!). The manager at your local McDonalds or BK is making as much or even more than nurses in western PA, thanks to slimeball UPMC’s illegal monopoly.

And I so appreciate their profits being donated to give C students college scholarships, rather than being used to lower my property taxes, pay our professionals the wage they deserve or ensuring patient safety. Hoorah!

Megadittoes, Pghgirl.  This is the result of monopoly capitalism masquerading in a "non-profit" mask.

After driving a "'boo" to facilities all over the region, I could tell you stories about Agony General, North Hills Passaway, No Mercy, SHADYside (literally)....all of them. And after the "medical error" (not to be confused with malpractice I'm told) that gave my 13 year old daughter a stroke and put her in a coma...on my birthday... off and on for 24 hours, and then having all the experts at Children's refuse to testify against him (because of the UPMC "brotherhood") event though they told us he "messed up"...don't even get me started on them.

Working in the mental health field for many years in Pittsburgh, I can verify that WPIC, UPMC's mental health arm, was at least as profit driven and uncaring regarding the needs of clients as their medical facilities.