Apria Gets New, Higher Credit Line

Apria Healthcare Group Inc. said it has arranged for a new, $800-million revolving credit line, to be financed by a syndicate of 18 banks led by Bank of America and NationsBank.

Apria, a Costa Mesa-based provider of home health-care services and products, said the agreement is expected to be signed Friday.

The new borrowing limit will provide Apria with about $400 million more than its present credit level, said Jeremy M. Jones, Apria chairman and chief executive officer. Part of the money will be used to fund Apria’s previously announced merger with Vitas Healthcare Corp., set to close later this year.