Attorney General Agrees to Merger

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjemhas signed off on the merger of the two largest health

systems in the Dakotas.

Fargo's MeritCare health system plans to merge with Sioux Falls,

S.D.-based Sanford Health. Stenehjem reviewed financial records and

a consultant's study and concluded the merger would be in

MeritCare's best interest.

Sanford vice president Mark Johnston says the Sanford and

MeritCare boards are expected to meet soon, with an announcement

expected Monday.

Once united, the Sanford-MeritCare service area will cover about

100,000 square miles, with a population of almost 1 million in

parts of five states - North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa

and Nebraska.

Stenehjem says his review authority was limited by law and he

was not able to evaluate the effect of the merger on services.

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