Meridian currently owns several hospitals in the area, including recently acquired Ocean County Health System in Stafford, N.J., and is the New Jersey Shore region’s largest employer.
Bayshore Community Health Services has been looking for a potential partner since Dec. 2008, according to the report.
The merger must be approved by the state’s Attorney General before it is finalized.
Read the Asbury Park Press’s report about the Meridian Health/Bayshore Community Hospital merger.