The Southwest Virginia Health Authority approved the proposed merger between Kingsport, Tenn.-based Wellmont Health System and Johnson City, Tenn.-based Mountain States Health Alliance, according to WCYB-NBC News 5.
The health authority's decision was the final approval necessary for the merger to proceed.
The Federal Trade Commission raised objections to the proposed merger on two separate occasions, stating the merger would increase costs for patients and decrease the quality of care. Officials from both hospitals responded, saying the FTC's view on the merger is "very narrow" and only focused on the competition.
Officials said the merged entity would be named Ballad Health.