Barnabas Health, Robert Wood Johnson Finalize Merger Plans

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Barnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson Health System have finalized their plans to merge.

The deal announced Tuesday would create the largest hospital chain in the state, stretching from Essex County to the Jersey Shore. But it must be reviewed by the state Attorney General's office before it can become official, a review that should be completed sometime next year.

The new nonprofit entity will be known as RWJ Barnabas Health. It would include 11 acute care hospitals stretching from Toms River to Somerset, and would have nearly 30,000 employees.

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