University Hospital merger again rejected by Gov. Steve Beshear

Gov. Steve Beshear on Monday stood behind his decision to reject the controversial merger of University Hospital with two other hospitals, saying he wasn't satisfied with ideas suggested last week to overcome his objections. University Hospital, Louisville's main safety-net hospital for the poor, had hoped to merge with Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare and St. Joseph Health System. But Beshear rejected that proposal Dec. 30, citing legal and policy problems, including loss of control of a public asset and church-and-state issues.