UPMC and PinnacleHealth are offering few details about the future plans they’re making together. The two health systems announced Tuesday that they’ve signed a letter of intent to affiliate. But they’re declining to say whether that partnership would mean a takeover, a merger, or a much looser collaboration.
PinnacleHealth, which is headquartered in the Harrisburg area, also announced Tuesday, that it was buying four nearby hospitals: Carlisle Regional Medical Center, Memorial Hospital in York County, Lancaster Regional Medical Center, and Heart of Lancaster Regional Medical Center. With those acquisitions, Pinnacle will own seven hospitals. PinnacleHealth is also affiliated with J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital in Huntingdon.
UPMC has 22 hospitals including UPMC Altoona and UPMC Bedford in our region.
UPMC and PinnacleHealth aiming to complete their talks and reach a deal this year. The FTC and the state attorney general would have to review any agreement to see if it limits choice or drives up prices.