Aetna Pulls Out Of Insurance Industry’s Lobbying Group
Aetna is the second major insurer to leave America's Health Insurance Plans, or AHIP. The company's decision is viewed as a big blow to the organization.
The Wall Street Journal:
Aetna Leaves Health Insurance Industry’s Largest Trade Group
Aetna Inc. on Tuesday became the second major insurer to leave the health insurance industry’s largest trade group, a setback to the membership organization that was a major force during the crafting of the Affordable Care Act. Aetna, the third-largest U.S. health insurer, said it wouldn’t renew its membership for 2016 with America’s Health Insurance Plans, a national association with almost 1,300 companies. (Armour, 1/5)
Modern Healthcare:
Aetna Departure Delivers Second Big Blow To AHIP
Another top-five health insurance company is ditching the industry lobbying group as a new CEO attempts to right the ship. Aetna, which is in the process of buying competitor Humana, is not renewing its membership in America's Health Insurance Plans for 2016, a spokeswoman for the Hartford, Conn.-based health insurer confirmed Tuesday. This comes several months after UnitedHealth Group, the nation's largest insurer, made the same announcement and said its interests “are no longer best represented by AHIP.” (Muchmore and Herman, 1/5)
Politico Pro:
Two More Insurers Leaving AHIP
Aetna is leaving America’s Health Insurance Plans, the second major health insurer to leave the powerful K Street lobby group. Unum, a leading disability insurer with $10.5 billion in revenues last year, has also dropped out, POLITICO has learned. That’s a less significant blow since the company does not sell health insurance. (Palmer and Demko, 1/5)
In other news -
Bloomberg:
Health Care's $605 Billion Buying Binge May Slow In 2016
When it comes to dealmaking, the health-care industry defied belief in 2015 with $605 billion of takeovers. While 2016 may be a good year, it’s unlikely to beat that record. “We entered 2015 with what I would characterize as almost a perfect M&A environment: a generally stable economy, lack of volatility in the equity markets, low interest rates, tons of cash on companies’ balance sheets,” said Jeff Stute, head of health-care investment banking at JPMorgan Chase & Co. His firm is hosting its annual conference next week in San Francisco, where health-care executives flock to hold court with top investors. (Koons and Chen, 1/6)