PA senator says Highmark trying to lure patients from Excela

The fallout from the battle between health care giants Highmark Inc. and UPMC is "unfair" and will ultimately harm community-based hospitals such as Excela Health, state Sen. Kim Ward said on Wednesday. The Hempfield Republican accused Highmark of dangling financial incentives in front of Excela physicians to lure patients to Forbes Regional Hospital in Monroeville, part of the West Penn Allegheny Health System. Highmark is awaiting state approval of its $475 million deal to buy West Penn Allegheny. The senator was critical of what she called attempts by Highmark to recruit Excela physicians.