The recent court ruling that keeps the split between health care rivals UPMC and Highmark on track will not immediately affect most Butler County residents who get their health care within county lines.

However, the issue is still concerning for many, among them state troopers who might be caught in out-of-network areas during a medical emergency.

State Supreme Court Judge Robert Simpson ruled Wednesday that a state-brokered consent decree between UPMC and Highmark cannot be extended beyond June 30. Attorney General Josh Shapiro sought to modify and extend the five-year agreement that gives Highmark members in-network access to UPMC hospitals and physicians.

He said the court couldn't extend it without consent of parties since Shapiro isn't pleading “fraud, accident or mistake.” A spokesman said Shapiro will appeal to the state's highest court.

This is an excerpt — pick up Sunday's Butler Eagle or subscribe online to read how the split could affect Butler County residents.