Highmark to pay legal fees supporting opposition to new UPMC facility in Pleasant Hills

Lawyers representing residents opposed to a planned UPMC hospital in Pleasant Hills are being financially backed by Highmark Health. In a statement released by Allegheny Health Network Thursday afternoon, the health care provider and wholly owned subsidiary of Highmark Health, said it "is proud to also help support the independent objections of many Pleasant Hills residents who are expressing outrage over UPMC's attempt to build a sprawling medical complex in their backyards." "The First Amendment protects these citizens' right to speak out and Jefferson Hospital's right to support them," said Jefferson Hospital CEO Louise Urban in the statement.