Health officials in Virginia and Tennessee said they expect to issue a decision on the proposed merger between Johnson City, Tenn.-based Mountain States Health Alliance and Kingsport, Tenn.-based Wellmont Health by the end of September, according to The Roanoke Times.
Tennessee Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, said Monday health officials deemed the organizations' merger application complete. The decision allows the health systems to move forward with the certificate of public advantage process, according to the report. Officials said a public hearing about the merger will be held July 18.
Each state's respective health department will issue a final decision no later than Sept. 19.
The health systems have fought for the potential merger since initially proposing the transaction in 2014 despite opposition from the Federal Trade Commission.