Health Care Merger Gains Final Approval

Regulators have given final approval to the $4.6 billion merger of Foundation Health Corp. with Health Systems International to create the country’s fourth-largest health care company.

Monday’s approval was the last hurdle to the merger, which will create a company providing coverage to 5 million members. The combined firm will begin trading on the stock market today under its new name, Foundation Health Systems Inc.

The companies have yet to submit a proposal to link their separate health maintenance organizations, which also must be approved by the state.