Letters to the editor
A hint of irony
About two weeks ago some employees at UPMC Washington lost their jobs.
Let’s scroll back 2 1/2 years to Jan. 25, 2024. A farce of a hearing was held at Washington & Jefferson College, an event I attended but at which I was unable to speak due to poor management by the moderator. The speakers were front loaded with hospital employees who, ad nauseam, repeated the mantra of “affiliation.” Many more employees were present but did not speak.
Brook Ward, currently President of UPMC Washington, UPMC Greene, and Washington Physicians Group, was quoted in the Jan. 17, 2024, issue of this newspaper, “The deal, bottom line, keeps every major service line. In fact, UPMC is going to grow it. Every job stays, nobody’s pay gets cut, the benefits don’t get slashed.”
Fast forward 2 1/2 years to now, June 2026. A statement from a UPMC spokesperson earlier this month relates that “…limited reductions are occurring, primarily among those who are not in clinical member or member facing roles”.
How many of those who spoke were dismissed and how many other attendees were dispatched? Most hospital administrators work in non-clinical roles. Were any upper level executives asked to leave?
I think there is a hint of irony and a whiff of hypocrisy with this current situation.
Douglas Corwin Jr., M.D.
East Washington
Support ASAP Act
The Alzheimer’s Association often describes this moment in medical progress as a potential “mammogram moment” for Alzheimer’s disease — and for good reason.
Just as mammograms revolutionized early cancer detection, blood-based biomarker testing can transform how Alzheimer’s is diagnosed. These tests could provide earlier, more accessible answers to patients and families who today face long, uncertain diagnostic journeys.
But innovation alone isn’t enough. Without Medicare coverage, many patients won’t benefit. That’s why the Alzheimer’s Association is urging support for the Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act.
I encourage Congressman Guy Reschenthaler to co-sponsor this important legislation, which would create a pathway for coverage once these tests are clinically validated. It’s a practical, patient-centered solution that ensures breakthroughs reach the people who need them.
This is a rare chance to improve lives in a meaningful way. I hope Congressman Reschenthaler will help make this Alzheimer’s “mammogram moment” a reality.
Bill Evans
Houston
Derangement or denial?
It’s time to talk about a serious illness. Sadly, when one has this specific problem, they might not realize how destructive it is.
This illness is Trump Derangement Syndrome, or TDS.
Some seem to think that those with TDS are people who hate Donald Trump for made-up reasons. In fact, Donald Trump seems to think every Democrat, every Independent, anyone who didn’t vote for him has this terrible TDS.
Nothing could be further from reality.
The rude truth is this, the rabid, doe-eyed worshippers of Donald Trump are the ones seriously infected with TDS. They are unable to understand that he doesn’t tell the truth. Can we call it “Truth Denial Syndrome?” They are quite desperate to believe him no matter how big the lie, no matter how preposterous the lie. Let me give you a few examples.
Mexico will pay for it. Remember that? We will release the files. Oh my. Tariff refund checks. Did you get one? DOGE refund checks. Sure, they’re in the mail. The ballroom will be paid for by donors. That’s a real knee-slapper. Lower grocery prices. Have you looked at the price of beef? I’ll present my healthcare plan in TWO weeks. That was 22 weeks ago. I’ll be too busy to golf! And no more foreign wars! Gave you a double-header.
When someone ignores the truth, they are in denial. When those lies cause self-harm (higher taxes) it becomes delusion. What does delusion lead to? Derangement.
What about the profanity he uses? Is that how a leader should talk? He belittles women. He mocks the disabled.
The saddest part of all of this is that Donald J. Trump demands loyalty. If someone isn’t a supporter, then they are the enemy. That is not how a leader leads. A leader works to bring people together so that the country can be strong.
And the fact that he compared himself to some of the world’s most hated tyrants, including Adolf Hitler? That’s beyond deranged.
Kitty Lagorio
Venetia