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The fight to save South Side Hospital is well underway, according to City Councilman Bruce Kraus. He's a leader in the fight, with a meeting scheduled for Monday, Dec. 8, with UPMC's CEO to make the case for keeping the venerable South Side institution open, despite UPMC's stated determination to close it. Joining Kraus will be several other area elected officials, including state delegates Jay Costa, Chelsea Wagner, Harry Readshaw and US Rep. Mike Doyle."It's the only hospital on the southern side of the city and suburbs," Kraus told the concerned block watch members. He cited concerns that closing South Side's largest employer will intensify the area's economic pain. In addition, he has collected over 600 letters begging for the continued existence of the more-than-a-century-old hospital. Block watch members voiced their questions about why UPMC must close this hospital even as it plans to open another in Monroeville -- near to an existing hospital -- and has announced plans to build dozens of hospitals in Europe. Some cited UPMC's argument that it doesn't have the money to keep South Side open. Others laughed at this seemingly transparent argument, citing UPMC's profit of several million dollars in the past year. Although the profit was smaller than the previous year, it was still in the millions. Kraus also told the block watch that city council has approved a move to require gun owners to report the loss or theft of their guns within 72 hours after the loss or theft. The measure has become somewhat controversial, as opponents argue that it is an attempt to control legal guns. But Kraus pointed out that lost or stolen guns almost invariably become weapons used in the commission of crimes. |
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