Altoona first announced its plans to affiliate with UPMC in November, and both parties signed a letter of intent in February.
Ninety percent of Altoona’s board members voted in favor of a partnership with UPMC over other prospects, although the Service Employees International Union Healthcare PA, which represents Altoona’s nursing staff, issued a petition with hundreds of signatures opposing the deal, citing issues with health insurer Highmark.
UPMC is currently engaged in a legal battle with the city of Pittsburgh over challenges to its status as a tax-exempt healthcare facility.
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