Shareholders approve Anthem/Wellpoint merger

INDIANAPOLIS, and THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., June 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

Anthem, Inc. (NYSE: ATH) and WellPoint Health Networks Inc. (NYSE: WLP) today

announced that both companies' shareholders have overwhelmingly voted in favor

of proposals necessary to complete their pending merger.

WellPoint shareholders voted to merge with Anthem and create the nation's

leading health benefits company. WellPoint received more than 118 million

votes, with approximately 97 percent of shareholders represented at the

meeting voting in favor of the merger.

Anthem shareholders voted to issue the stock that would be issued to

WellPoint shareholders as a part of the merger and change the corporate name

from Anthem, Inc. to WellPoint, Inc. Anthem received more than 108 million

votes, with approximately 97 percent of shareholders represented at the

meeting voting in favor of issuing the stock and voting in favor of changing

the corporate name.