FORT MILL TOWNSHIP -- At least 400 letters telling state regulators who should build York County's second hospital have already arrived at the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, and officials expect plenty more.

It's a public support battle largely being waged between Presbyterian Healthcare and Tenet Healthcare Corp., parent of Piedmont Medical Center. Aside from letters included in the hospitals' applications, only about two dozen of the 400 or so letters pertained to the other two companies vying to build the hospital - Carolinas HealthCare System or Hospital Partners of America.

Hospital Partners is only mentioned in a couple of letters.

The letters supporting Piedmont Medical Center cite its 25 years of commitment to the York County community and the $120 million it has invested in improvements since 1995. Letters supporting Presbyterian cite pleasant personal experiences with its hospitals in Mecklenburg County, a caring and professional staff, and its plans to build a 24-hour urgent care center in western York County.

Presbyterian and Tenet each have about 170 letters of support. Many of the letters supporting Presbyterian are handwritten, while a large chunk of Tenet's are signed form letters, though some have a personal note at the bottom. About a dozen writers say they'd be happy with either Presbyterian or Carolinas HealthCare System.

Another dozen specifically supported CHS.

There's some hate mail, too. About 30 letters oppose allowing Piedmont, or Tenet, to build the new hospital. Several are from employees, mostly unsigned, who criticize the hospital's administration. Others say the hospital's lack of a contract with Aetna and past high prices are reasons not to let Tenet build another York County hospital.

Carolinas HealthCare and Presbyterian each have one opposition letter.

Each of the four companies wants to build a 64-bed hospital in York County. Carolinas HealthCare System wants to locate in Rock Hill, the rest in Fort Mill. DHEC has to award permission, called a certificate of need, before the new hospital can move forward.

Charles Miller, president and CEO of Piedmont, isn't surprised that quite a few of the letters against PMC reference the lack of a contract with Aetna.

Tenet, which like Presbyterian is still soliciting letters, lined up a good bit of support from public officials and agencies early, including U.S. Rep. John Spratt, D-S.C.; the York County and Clover chambers; United Way Fort Mill-Rock Hill-Tega Cay; Sheriff Bruce Bryant; and Bill Blackwell, general manager of the Charlotte Knights.

Presbyterian has S.C. Rep. Herb Kirsh, D-Clover; York Mayor Eddie Lee; and the York chamber in its corner.

Joel Grice, director of DHEC's Bureau of Health Facilities and Services Development, said last week DHEC will continue to accept letters until the decision date, although the earlier they arrive, the more consideration they can be given. Grice letters written by individuals do count a little more than form letters.

DHEC expects to reach a decision by late summer.