Westmoreland County has tens of millions of unspent “covid dollars.” Our politicians are currently debating how to spend this money.
One of the most affected “industries” of the pandemic is our local health system striving to compete with UPMC, AGH, etc. Independence Health System (formerly Excela) finds itself tens of millions of dollars in the red as a direct result of covid.
Independence Health System is the county’s largest employer, with 4,200 on its payroll. If this health system doesn’t remain viable, Westmoreland’s health care, employment and tax base will suffer beyond measure.
Millions in this fund went to the cable TV industry and other nonessential industries. That is well and good, but, in comparison, it is beyond reason that there is not enough to bail out our largest employer that finds itself in dire straights through no fault of its own.
John Owens
Mt. Pleasant