HEALTH
<i> Times Staff and Wire Reports</i>
HMO Asks Merger Extension: WellPoint Health Networks asked to extend the deadline for its roughly $1.6-billion acquisition of Health Systems International, citing differences with its merger partner. WellPoint asked California regulators to extend the deadline for completing the deal to Jan. 15, 1996, from Dec. 31. WellPoint said it would be “virtually impossible” to complete Securities and Exchange Commission deadlines by Dec. 31. Health Systems, which would have to agree to the deadline extension, had no comment. As previously reported, the chief executives of the Woodland Hills-based managed health care companies have been unable to resolve issues involving management roles and executive compensation.
