The most influential people in business of 2011
The Highmark-UPMC contract impasse has been called a battle of giants -- the region's largest insurer pitted against the region's largest health system. But after UPMC decided that Highmark's plans to acquire the West Penn Allegheny Health System made a new contract untenable, the backlash was both immediate and personal -- and primarily directed at UPMC president and CEO Jeffrey Romoff.
Despite UPMC's statements that board members unanimously support the no-negotiation position with Highmark (board members are not speaking publicly), Mr. Romoff has become a lightning rod for people unhappy about being told to change insurers or lose affordable access to UPMC services. One letter writer likened him to the Mr. Potter character from "It's a Wonderful Life."
But, noted former Allegheny County commissioner Bob Cranmer, Mr. Romoff is also the primary architect of a world-class health system as well as head of Western Pennsylvania's largest employer. Give Mr. Romoff credit, he said, for keeping "the lifeblood of our regional economy pumping."
The bill would cut the basic tax on new oil-field production from 25 percent to 15 percent, grant energy businesses more incentives to hire Alaskans, soften the state's progressive oil-tax structure and provide other pro-business tax incentives.
Shell's proposed exploration of shale gas in SA's Karoo area, though controversial, is a case in point. It also means a shift in the balance of power in the energy sector. As oil companies branch away from oil and engage in new markets, they will face