August University

Georgia officials have approved the takeover of the Augusta University hospitals associated with the state's only public medical school. The state Board of Regents on Friday approved agreements to transfer control of the hospitals to Marietta-based Wellstar Health System. The deal may take effect in late summer. The move is one of many hospital mergers in Georgia and nationwide, as standalone hospitals combine into large systems. That helps them afford massive investments but also gives them the power to negotiate more lucrative payment agreements with insurers.