Woman fighting UPMC rejection of military health plan

A Bridgeville woman is seeking congressional help in an effort to reverse a UPMC policy against accepting the health insurance plan for the region's 7,808 active-duty military personnel, their families and retirees.

Jean Rohal, 40, said it's shameful that University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospitals and medical centers turn away active-duty service members from all branches, including the National Guard and reservists, especially in a time of war and economic distress.

She said she's been told UPMC doesn't accept Tricare, the military health plan, because of low reimbursement rates.

"I'm lucky that my husband is currently at home, but what about the people with spouses deployed?" Mrs. Rohal said. "They have spouses overseas, and now they have to deal with this."

She said that UPMC is the region's largest health-care provider, so its refusal to accept Tricare puts undue burden on military families.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09043/948634-85.stm