ST. PAUL — State senators are pressing Gov. Mark Dayton to halt a contracting process in which a major health insurance company lost out.

UCare sued the state last month after losing out during a bid process for public programs. A judge is currently weighing the company’s request to pause a registration period slated to start Friday.

Nearly a dozen senators sent a letter to Dayton Tuesday with a similar request. The lawmakers echo complaints from UCare that the state hasn’t been forthcoming about why the Minneapolis company didn’t make the cut.

Dayton deputy chief of staff Linden Zakula said the process will mean savings for taxpayers and better health care.

State officials said their competitive bidding will save roughly $450 million. But the senators argue that the costs of shifting 400,000 residents to new plans may shrink those savings.