Terre Haute, In. – In a press release issued last week the Federal Trade Commission again urges the Indiana Dept. Of Health to deny the merger of Union and Regional Hospitals.  The FTC said the latest Certificate of Public Advantage (COPA) presents the same anticompetitive harms as their original application. They went on to say went on to warn that the merger poses substantial anticompetitive risks such as higher healthcare costs for patients and lower wages for hospital workers. The FTC’s latest comment letter follows a similar letter issued in September 2024 opposing the proposed COPA. Following the FTC’s opposition, Union Health and THRH withdrew their COPA application in November 2024. At the time, FTC staff applauded the withdrawal as a win for patients and healthcare workers.