HARRISBURG -- A state health care reporting agency, which has won national praise for its work in holding down health costs, has been spared once again.

Gov. Ed Rendell said yesterday he has the authority to extend the life of the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council until June 30, and he will do so.

The council briefly went out of existence in early July when Mr. Rendell and the Legislature couldn't agree on a deal to fund it and other health care items, and the Legislature failed to reauthorize the agency for five more years. Mr. Rendell then said he had the power to extend it until Nov. 30.

The council's budget is $5.3 million, but he will tell it to reduce that by 4.25 percent, the same amount other agencies have to cut because of state budget problems.

The council reports on mortality rates in hospitals. The reports have helped lower those deaths, and "informs consumers and purchasers about the quality of health care in the state," Mr. Rendell said.