Pa. Attorney General holds public hearing on proposed Independence Health/WVUMedicine merger
Pennsylvania’s Office of the Attorney General held a public hearing on Friday morning, July 24, at Swiftee’s Lakeview in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, to solicit comment on the proposed merger of Independence Health System and West Virginia University Health System.
The proposed merger would result in WVUMedicine spending $800 million to assume control of all five Independence Health hospitals, including Butler Memorial Hospital, as well as other associated offices. The deal was first publicly announced in November 2025 and a formalized agreement was announced this June. The two sides are awaiting regulatory approval on both the state and federal level.
“The overall tone of the public hearing was very supportive of the proposed affiliation,” said Independence Health spokesperson Kelly Skoloda. “A number of community members, employees, physicians, elected officials and other stakeholders attended to share comments, with the overwhelming majority expressing support for the affiliation and the opportunities it presents for expanding access to care, investing in local hospitals and strengthening healthcare across the region.”
Skoloda added she hasn’t heard any information on whether there are any further plans for the Attorney General’s office to hold further public hearings.
Although Friday’s public hearing has now passed, interested residents are invited to submit written comments on the proposed merger to the Office of the Attorney General, 1251 Waterfront Place, Mezzanine Level, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222.
The deadline for submitting comments is Monday, Aug. 3, at noon.
