It shouldn't have happened in the first place, but at least it is being undone. Pennsylvanians lost -- temporarily -- one of their biggest advocates in trying to hold down the cost of medical care, improving the quality of treatment and comparing patient outcomes in hospitals.

The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council, known by the simpler moniker of PHC4, has been a powerful force in state government for the improvement and reform of medical care. But its sterling record of neutral, nonpartisan, pro-consumer service was not enough to keep it from being used as a pawn in disputes over unrelated subjects.

Like many state agencies, PHC4 is funded for a limited term, then automatically "sunsets" or goes out of business unless reauthorized by the Legislature. The office's extension beyond June 30 became linked to the debates over extending health insurance and re-approving the MCare abatement program, which helps doctors pay malpractice insurance costs.

Because these issues remain unresolved, PHC4 went out of business last week; the Legislature is now gone for the summer. Fortunately, Gov. Ed Rendell issued an executive order Tuesday that revives the agency until Nov. 30 or until the Legislature reauthorizes the council, whichever comes first.

That's good news for the agency's 43 employees, who have returned to work, and for Pennsylvanians interested in quality health care. Let's hope state lawmakers can formally approve the return of PHC4 this fall.