Bon Secours, Mercy merging into giant Catholic hospital system

Mercy Health and Bon Secours Health System, two large Catholic hospital systems spanning seven states and with almost $9 billion in combined annual revenue, have agreed to merge. The two systems expect to complete the deal by the end of the year, pending state, federal and church approvals.

Go deeper: This is another major hospital system merger and builds on the industry's insatiable appetite to consolidate — with no clear benefits to patients.