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Blues boom; Anthem, WellPoint deal proceeds despite challenges.

Publication: Modern Healthcare
Publication Date: 12-JAN-04 		Format: Online - approximately 948 words
Delivery: Immediate Online Access
Full Article Title: Blues boom; Anthem, WellPoint deal proceeds despite challenges.(The Week in Healthcare)(Anthem Insurance Companies Inc.)(Wellpoint Health Networks Inc.)

Article Excerpt
Byline: Laura B. Benko

The proposed merger of Blues plan titans Anthem and WellPoint Health Networks is moving along slowly but surely, even as worried providers, lawmakers and investors continue to mount challenges to thwart the controversial deal.

Officials at both companies said Anthem's $16.4 billion acquisition of WellPoint-which would create the nation's largest for-profit health insurer with 26 million members and $27 billion in assets-is on track to close by midyear as planned (Nov. 3, 2003, p. 6). The mega-merger, first announced in late October 2003, requires formal approval from federal and state regulators, as well as from both companies' shareholders and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

"We're in the process of completing all of our filings,'' said Deborah New, spokeswoman for Indianapolis-based Anthem. "It's still early in the process, but we're confident we'll obtain all the necessary...

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