PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island’s two largest health care systems have taken the next step in their proposed merger by filing their application with the state Department of Health and the state attorney general’s office.

Lifespan and Care New England in a statement Monday said they expect the regulatory approval process to take several months.

The organizations in February announced they had signed a merger agreement that includes a collaboration with Brown University’s medical school to create what they called an integrated statewide health care system.

Critics of the deal have said a merger could drive up health care costs and cost jobs.