LAWRENCE COUNTY — A sidetracked merger between Jameson Health System and UPMC has the support of one state legislator representing Lawrence County, with three others calling on state regulators to respect the hospital board’s authority to choose its own merger partner.

The group issued a joint statement on the proposed merger of the health systems, as well as the “matters surrounding” UPMC’s proposal.

State Sen. Elder Vogel, R-47th, said he supports a merger between Jameson and UPMC, saying it would expand access to services and ensure the financial health of “an acute care hospital in the community.”

“Simply put, it’s the best option available for Jameson’s patients and employees,” Vogel said of UPMC’s proposal.

He also represents part of Butler County.

State regulators with the Pennsylvania Attorney General this summer refused to approve the deal, saying it raised antitrust concerns about the number of patients that would be part of the new health system.

State Rep. Chris Sainato, D-9th, said Jameson administrators told the elected officials that UPMC agreed to address those antitrust concerns months ago as part of a deal that would include promises relating to contracts and hospital and physician access.

“These terms make it even more certain that the UPMC agreement would preserve consumers’ rights ...” Sainato said.

After state regulators this summer halted the proposed merger, Jameson, at the request of the AG’s office, sought other merger proposals through a fast-tracked bidding timeline.

That process ended in October with Jameson administrators and state officials at loggerheads again — this time over the results of the rebid process.

Hospital administrators said none of the bids, which they have declined to provide details of, lived up to financial criteria agreed upon by both the hospital and state regulators.

The attorney general’s office disagreed, saying that the hospital had received “more than one proposal” that would ensure Lawrence County residents had access to affordable health care.

The legislators say that they respect state regulators’ responsibility, but say the hospital should select its own partner, and they say the UPMC deal represents the best offer.

“If the new bids cannot be improved, then it should be our communities’ expectation for the OAG to utilize the consent decree resolution with UPMC,” said Cheryl Schriner, Vogel’s chief of staff

State Rep. Parke Wentling, R-14th, said the legislators support Jameson’s desire to choose a partner that will meet the county’s long-term health care needs.

“We stand by the Jameson board in upholding those criteria to ... make the right decision for the future of health care in Lawrence County,” Wentling said.

State Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-10th, called on state regulators to “empower (the hospital) to come to agreeable terms with the partner that best upholds the highest interests,” for patients in Lawrence County.

He also represents the Slippery Rock Township area in Butler County

The legislators say they support the hospital’s commitment to finding a merger partner that will “invest significant capital, address and service all debt, focus on physician recruitment, and make certain Jameson is in the best position to serve the community into the future.”

The attorney general’s office was closed Wednesday for Veterans Day, and no spokesman was available to respond to the legislators’ statements.