HARRISBURG, Pa.—Last week, the Pennsylvania state senate’s banking and insurance committee voted to recommend that state insurance commissioner Joel Ario turn down the proposed merger between Highmark and Independence Blue Cross.

If allowed, the merger would create Pennsylvania’s largest health insurer. Ario is due to make the final decision after Jan. 27.

The senate committee also recommended that if Ario does decide to approve the merger, he should approve it with conditions designed to address the concerns of citizens and groups that charge combining the companies would hamper competition and reduce negotiating power of those dealing with Highmark/Blue Cross.

Highmark subsidiary HVHC is the parent of Davis Vision, the Eye Care Centers of America retail chain and Viva International.