Altoona Regional, a nonprofit community healthcare system, is affiliating with  healthcare giant UPMC

 As they move toward affiliation, we are committed to preserving the quality care that the people of Central Pennsylvania have come to depend on, and ensure changes to the hospital will not affect that care.

We stand behind these five principles, which we believe demonstrate a commitment to patients, healthcare workers, and the community:

1. OPEN PROCESS – The Hospital is a community asset and the community should know what is happening with our Hospital and have a voice in the decision-making.

2.MAINTAIN SERVICES – There should be a commitment to maintaining, and even expanding, services in Altoona and keeping the Hospital as a full service resource.

3. MAINTAIN JOBS – The Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we need a commitment to maintain the jobs for the employees who live in our community.

4. MAINTAIN GOOD JOBS – The Hospital needs to secure a commitment in the event of any merger or sale to maintain good family sustaining jobs in our community by recognizing and honoring the existing labor agreements.

5. MAINTAIN ACCESS – The Hospital needs to secure a commitment in the event of any merger or sale to maintain access to the facility for ALL area doctors to practice and use this important community resource.