Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Christine Ward today granted insurer Highmark Inc.'s request for a preliminary injunction blocking West Penn Allegheny Health System from talking to other possible affiliation partners. The court also put off the state of Pennsylvania's request to dismiss all of the claims between the parties. In her ruling, Judge Ward noted that the affiliation agreement required West Penn Allegheny to give Highmark 30 days to repair any perceived breach but instead "WPAHS made the unilateral decision that Highmark's anticipatory breach was incurable." In an emailed statement, Highmark's spokesman said the company was pleased with the ruling.
