A sweeping executive order signed last week will target everything from airline baggage fees to soaring prescription drug prices.

The combined company would be the world's biggest insurance broker.

The case is the third major complaint in a six-year investigation that accuses pharmaceutical companies of a widespread price-fixing.

UnitedHealth will add DaVita's medical clinics to the 35,000 physicians who already work for its Optum unit.

The comment echoes calls from lawmakers and policy advocates who say antitrust officials need to get tougher on mergers.

The lawsuit, filed by more than 40 state attorneys general, accuses the drugmakers of inflating prices of more than 100 drugs.

The path is clear for a merger that will create a health-care giant with a hand in insurance, prescription-drug benefits and drugstores.

Approval by the Justice Department smooths the way for the deal to wrap up by the end of the year.