I read with interest that UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh have conducted research showing that poor people of color are treated unfairly by the healthcare system (“New center in East Liberty aims to address health disparities,” Nov. 26). UPMC will open a clinic to serve the poor in the East End of Pittsburgh. I offer kudos to UPMC for responding to the need.
Fortunately for the poor, the faith-based community has long recognized that poor people of color have been and are treated unfairly, even without the benefit of studies. The East Liberty Family Health Care Center was established in 1982 in the basement of Eastminster Presbyterian Church with the goal of treating underserved and uninsured patients.
The East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM) was established in 1970 by several east end churches to serve the poor in the East Liberty area. For decades, EECM’s vital services to the poor, including a food pantry, soup kitchen, men’s homeless shelter and more, were freely housed in Eastminster Presbyterian Church and East Liberty Presbyterian Church.
While UPMC is not providing a “new” service, we do appreciate their engagement, late though it is. Rather than stopping here, however, perhaps UPMC will use its vast reserves to rally all relevant parties to bring about real and lasting change in the city.
Fred Miller
Highland Park
First Published: December 5, 2022, 8:22 p.m.