"Concern for public health and welfare is the basis for PP&L's policy on health care facilities," explained Robert H. Ballard, manager-Revenue Collection for PP&L. "Facilities with overdue balances on their account will continue to receive service if they show a willingness to work with us on a payment agreement."

PP&L's policy supports regulations established by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission in October 1996.

The regulations define "health care facility" to include hospitals, nursing homes, birth centers, and schools or institutions that provide overnight care for children or adults. They require utilities to identify such facilities in their customer records.

While the PUC does not prohibit utilities from cutting off service to health care facilities, it does mandate a special process, which includes notifying the state licensing body for the facility and the PUC's Bureau of Consumer Services.

"PP&L makes every effort to work out payment agreements with all customers who are behind in their bill payments," Ballard said. "Cutting off service always is a last resort, especially in the case of health care facilities."

He added that PP&L reserves the right to use the process defined by the PUC for cutting off service to health care facilities if negotiations fail.