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Compromise Ends West Virginia Hospital Merger Challenge

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The legal challenge of a West Virginia hospital merger has ended just before it was set to appear before the state Supreme Court of Appeals.

The Herald-Dispatch of Huntington reports years of litigation ended Monday when Cabell Huntington Hospital and Steel of West Virginia agreed Steel of West Virginia would end its challenge to the hospital’s acquisition of St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Steel of West Virginia opposed the acquisition as it believed the merger would create a regional health care monopoly, decreasing care quality and increasing patient costs.

However, a joint statement from the companies says Steel of West Virginia backed off when Cabell Huntington promised to work with area businesses to improve overall workforce health and reduce incidents of hospitalization.

The newspaper’s requests for agreement specifics have gone unanswered.