The office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General convened a public hearing Thursday to gather testimony and public comment on the proposed merger of the Washington Health System and UPMC. The two hour meeting had testimony from WHS President and CEO Brook Ward outlining the history of the hospital system and testifying to the financial outlook facing WHS. Ward was positively supported by other hospital representatives from UPMC Jameson in Lawrence County and UPMC Somerset. Those testimonies proclaimed the investment UPMC made to save both hospitals from closing. Ward spoke of financial losses in 2022 and 2023 and a large loss in the first six months of 2024. Ward says that hospitals “just can’t raise prices like other industries.” Inflation in costs of services and operations are not being offset by reimbursement payments. The majority of people in attendance were supportive of the merger. Theresa Babyak, Director of Operations of the Washington Physicians Group says she experienced a great outcome when UPMC merged with McGee Women’s Hospital when she worked there. She said the merger was positive for patient care and staff. There were a handful of detractors stating that they are concerned with staff layoffs, decrease in services and a possible closure of the hospital. Ward indicated that Washington Hospital would be the fifth “hub hospital” at UPMC, meaning that UPMC is committed to expansion and growth Washington Hospital.