Altoona hospital system mulls bids from UPMC, Highmark, Geisinger

Three of Pennsylvania's biggest healthcare companies are in competition for Altoona Regional Health System, a 380-bed nonprofit hospital operator. The system has discussed the possibility of being acquired with UPMC, Highmark Inc., and Geisinger Health System, said David Cuzzolina, a spokesman for Altoona Regional. Altoona Regional's board, which already is in discussions to partner with the 44-bed Nason Hospital in Altoona, has set no deadline for deciding on whether to pursue an agreement with UPMC, Highmark or Geisinger. Cuzzolina said the three organizations are the only ones that provided presentations to Altoona Regional's board on a possible partnership.