Appeal filed in bid to block Hershey-PinnacleHealth merger

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Federal and state regulators are making another effort to block a merger between PinnacleHealth System and Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. A federal judge had rejected their request, but the Federal Trade Commission and Pennsylvania attorney general's office appealed Wednesday. The agencies also want an injunction to block the merger while the Third Circuit Court of Appeals considers the appeal. The agencies argue that the deal would consolidate control of nearly two-thirds of south-central Pennsylvania's health care market. The regulators say that could mean higher costs and lower quality of care. Penn State officials say they believe the merger will increase patient access to more kinds of medical services in a larger area. Merger discussions began in 2013 and both hospital networks have approved the deal.

Regulators try again to block Hershey-PinnacleHealth merger