New Castle, Pa.-based Jameson Health System agreed to be acquired by Pittsburgh-based UPMC last fall, but the system is looking for buyers again after the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office raised antitrust concerns, according to a Pittsburgh Business Times report.
UPMC and Jameson signed a letter of intent to merge in September 2014, and the boards of directors of both organizations formally approved a definitive merger agreement in February of this year. Jameson had hoped to have the deal approved by the state attorney general and closed this spring, but the decision was delayed due to antitrust concerns.
The deal was issued another setback Aug. 13, when the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office met with Lawrence County commissioners about the transaction. The attorney general recommended Jameson look for other buyers before inking the deal with UPMC due to the potential antitrust issues associated with the transaction.
Attorney general spokesman Jeff Johnson told the Pittsburgh Business Times that the office's goal is to assure consumer access to affordable healthcare.
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