Wolf, Shapiro see 'major development' in Highmark-UPMC clash

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf and Attorney General Josh Shapiro will announce what they're calling a major development in a contract dispute between two Pittsburgh-based health care conglomerates.

The announcement is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. The June 30 end of a consent decree is expected to trigger higher costs for Highmark insurance customers who use UPMC's vast hospital network.

It comes a week after a Pennsylvania judge ruled that Shapiro couldn't force a court-ordered extension to a 5-year-old state-brokered agreement between UPMC and Highmark.

Highmark and the attorney general's office want to extend the agreement, while UPMC is opposed.

UPMC opposed to renewing their agreement in 2012 after Highmark had purchased what is now Allegheny Health Network and became what UPMC viewed as a competitor in providing health services and insurance coverage.