Northern Tier News

Rep. Martin Causer, representing Cameron, McKean, and Potter counties in Pennsylvania, has expressed disappointment following a meeting with UPMC officials regarding the elimination of labor and delivery services at UPMC Cole. The meeting included state officials, county commissioners from the affected counties, representatives of federal lawmakers, and several UPMC officials.

Causer stated that despite presenting a strong case for maintaining these services in Coudersport and sharing concerns about the risks to expectant mothers and their babies, UPMC remains firm on its decision. He noted that this action would create a significant maternity care desert across multiple counties in the region.

UPMC attributes its decision to difficulties in recruiting an OB/Gyn physician to Coudersport and a shortage of registered nurses specializing in labor and delivery. They insist it is not financially motivated. However, Causer questioned this claim due to reports from local nurses indicating that UPMC Cole offers some of the lowest pay rates in the area.

Causer raised specific concerns about the increased risk posed by long travel times to other facilities for expectant mothers, challenges with transportation accessibility, and additional strain on an already fragile EMS system. In response, UPMC committed to providing 24/7 ambulance transportation for inter-facility patient transfers; personalized coordination of transportation services; overnight accommodations for expectant mothers and family members; and fuel subsidies.

He emphasized that despite legislative efforts focused on rural health care over recent years, large healthcare companies are failing to fulfill their commitment to providing affordable and accessible care in rural communities like theirs. "We deserve better," he said, pledging continued advocacy for rural health care improvements.

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