Suitors step warily in hospital pursuit; AUH-West views deal as way to 'achieve goals.'.(Allegheny University Hospitals-West)

NORTH SIDE - The financial drama of Allegheny General Hospital and its three sister hospitals is far from being played out.

Despite Allegheny University Hospitals-West's trumpeting in a recent press release that it had a "plan for protecting four area hospitals," the situation is a lot less sewn-up than it might appear.

Two members of an alliance that has bid on the four hospitals said they are approaching the transaction very cautiously, so as to not become entangled in a financial mess of their own. In addition, the situation is complicated by the federal bankruptcy process, which will require any transaction to be approved by a federal judge and a bankruptcy trustee.

Two groups have submitted proposals to buy or merge with the four hospitals: an alliance between the Western Pennsylvania Hospital and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield: and Catholic Health East, which is the parent of Pittsburgh Mercy Health System. …