Pittsburg, PA
Pennsylvania members of Congress push for improvements at VA Pittsburgh Health System – Pennsylvania Capital-Star
PITTSBURGH – Democratic U.S. Reps. Summer Lee and Chris Deluzio, and U.S. Sens. John Fetterman and Bob Casey sent a letter to the director of the Veterans Administration Pittsburgh Healthcare System on Tuesday seeking answers about “challenges” facing the system that serves some 84,000 veterans in southwestern Pennsylvania.
The lawmakers asked VAPHS Director Donald Koenig to address the center’s recent low rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — the lowest possible rating— and what they termed “chronic” staffing shortages. They also raised concerns about the suicide of a patient on site last year.
The letter asks Koenig to develop and report action plans to address the issues.
“We appreciate your efforts to improve VAPHS and address some of its pressing needs, including chronic staffing shortages, opening a new outpatient clinic in Monroeville, and the critical structural issues at the 70-year old University Drive hospital,” the letter states. “Despite these efforts, challenges remain — some unique to VAPHS and others related to the VA health care system as a whole — degrading the system’s ability to provide the vital care both needed and expected by the region’s veterans.”
Among the issues the letter cites:
- Posting open job positions “consistently takes significant time,” and the facility is short-handed in several key areas, including nursing, behavioral health, medical support assistance, and housekeeping.
- VAPHS was one of only nine VA Medical Centers and Healthcare Systems rated to receive a one-star rating from the CMS among 114 in the nation. The lawmakers acknowledged this was the first year VA facilities were rated on the same scale as non-VA health providers, and that the metrics used gave a “dated view” of VAPHS’ performance, but asked Koenig for his plans to improve the rating.
- A lack of vehicles, including handicap-accessible vehicles, to take veterans to and from appointments, and for other needs.
- On Oct. 10, a man the lawmakers’ letter identifies as a veteran died by suicide after bringing a gun to a VA hospital in O’Hara, near Pittsburgh. The lawmakers write that they have heard from employees at the facility that communication about the incident and the review that followed “left room for improvement,” and asked for a briefing from Koening.
Koenig is the VAPHS’ sixth executive director in the past five years, the lawmakers’ letter notes.
VAPHS spokesperson Shelley Kay Nulph said in a statement emailed to the Capital-Star that the organization was reviewing the letter and would “respond directly to the Senators and Representatives in writing as soon as we are able. We appreciate the oversight from our congressional representatives, which helps us better serve Veterans, and we are always willing to meet with them to discuss these and any other questions they may have.”
In 2012 the VAPHS made national headlines when an outbreak of Legionnaires disease led to the deaths of six patients and sickened 16 others. The incident and its mishandling led to the firing of its then-director Terry Gerigk Wolf.
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates made a recent move to their rotation, which has resulted in a surprising move from one player.
The Pirates announced that they placed right-handed pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski on the restricted list and recalled right-handed pitcher Cam Sanders from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of their series finale vs. the Minnesota Twins at PNC Park on May 31.
A player going on the restricted list means that they either left the team without a valid reason, or could be announcing retirement, but may consider returning in the near future to play later on.
It is a shocking decision, as there was no indication something like this was happening and makes a big change to the Pirates pitching staff moving forward.
Why Pirates May Have Placed Mlodzinski on Restricted List
This case with Mlodzinski is likely the former, although not confirmed, as he was in the clubhouse ahead of the game, so something may have happened closer to first pitch.
Pirates manager Don Kelly announced postgame in the 10-9 win on May 30 that Mlodzinski would follow right-handed starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft in the series finale.
Mlodzinski was a part of the Pirates starting rotation for the first two months of the season, but Jared Jones recently came off the injured list and took his role in the rotation, with the Pirates sending Mlodzinski back to the bullpen.
He said following the decision that he would talk with his agency and those close to him, so he may have decided to depart the team after this.
“Obviously just excited to have Jared back with us,” Mlodzinski said. “I can honestly say I’m just still communicating with the organization and the people in my corner, whether that’s my family or my agency, about what is next. I really don’t have any comments after that.”
How This Changes Pirates Pitching Staff
Mlodzinski has been an effective relief pitcher with the Pirates, with a 2.63 ERA over 140.1 innings pitched and 94 appearances.
The Pirates had plans for Mlodzinski as a bulk reliever, but someone that can also fill any role, including in high-leverage situations and as a middle reliever, something the team has seriously needed.
His departure hurts a Pirates bullpen that has really looked for consistent arms that can get outs, preserve leads and give the team a chance to make a comeback late.
Sanders has struggled in his time in MLB with the Pirates, with a 9.26 ERA over 11 appearances, a .300 batting average allowed and a 2.20 WHIP.
The Pirates can make a few decisions on Mlodzinski, who could technically still comeback, but it looks like they will trade him at this point.
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Amidst over 70 Pride festivals in Pennsylvania, I stand alone as none of my friends want to go. Not the big Pittsburgh Pride, not the small community park festivals.
This feels upside down. I’m a lesbian blogger and have no Pride friends?
I respect personal decisions, but this is a year to show up. Show up even just for an hour. Buy something, throw some coin in a basket. Our community might crumble. Showing up for Pride is not the same ask as door knocking or phone banking. Connect with people without saying a word. Remind yourself who we are. Send a message. Insert more little sayings. You get my point.
I decided to skip tabling this year. My energy is low. If I go to Pride, I want to just be one of the folx.
I wouldn’t actually mind going solo, but I have no vehicle. Gertie is still not running. Should I Uber? How long might I have to wait for a drive home?
Tomorrow, May 31 is Ross Township. I might Uber there.
Saturday, June 6 is New Castle Pride in Lawrence County.
Sunday June 7 is Pittsburgh and Connellsville. I can walk to Pittsburgh.
Saturday June 13 is tough – Indiana, Oil City, Mt. Lebo, Scottdale
Sunday, June 14 is Vandergrift and Freeport
Saturday June 20 is Millvale
Sunday June 28 is Forest Hills, Dormont, and Hazelwood
Monday June 29 is Aspinwall/Fox Chapel
Showing up in Lawrence, Fayette, Indiana, Venango, Westmoreland, Armstrong counties feels important.
What do you think?
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