ND AG Says Law Kept Hospital Merger Review Brief

North Dakota AG Says Law Kept Hospital Merger Review Brief; May Seek To Expand Authority

(AP)  BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem says North Dakota law limited his review of a merger of two large health care companies.

Stenehjem says he may ask the Legislature to expand his authority.

The proposed merger of Sanford Health of Sioux Falls, S.D., and MeritCare Health System of Fargo, N.D., is expected to be made final Monday.

Stenehjem hired the Brady Martz accounting firm to review the deal. It said MeritCare's books showed "significant operating losses" in its last two budget years.

Stenehjem says state law didn't allow him to explore whether the deal will affect jobs and medical services in MeritCare's service area.

In 2003, Stenehjem pushed a bill in the Legislature to expand his authority to review mergers of medical nonprofits. But he says some key provisions were taken out before the measure was approved.