Pennsylvania health systems may be compelled to unionize by an upcoming Medicaid contract.
Anthony Hennen, a reporter for The Center Square, says that the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is drafting Medicaid contracts that could compel health-care providers to unionize, making it more difficult for low-income patients to access health care and threatening more than a dozen hospital systems’ participation in Medicaid.
“UPMC of Pittsburgh could be affected by this. The consequences of this could echo across the commonwealth,” Hennen said.
On the NewsRadio KDKA morning show, Governor Wolf denied that the providers would be compelled to allow unionization.
“Absolutely not. They will be compelled to say we’re not going to be able to deliver the services. That’s just a standard practice when you give a contract to somebody,” Governor Wolf said.
Hennen says the HealthChoices Medicaid Managed Care agreements would take effect in July.
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