Aetna’s Motives For Withdrawing From ACA Markets Come Under Congressional Scrutiny
There has been speculation that the insurer's decision was a reaction to the Justice Department's move to try to block the company's merger with Humana.
The Hill:
Warren, Sanders Launch Probe Into Insurer That Bailed On ObamaCare
Leading progressive senators are demanding an explanation from the insurance giant Aetna about its abrupt decision to pull out of most ObamaCare exchanges this year, which they said appeared to be politically motivated. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced Thursday they are launching a probe into Aetna, which bailed on ObamaCare just weeks after the Justice Department moved to block its multi-billion merger with another top-five insurer. (Ferris, 9/8)
The Connecticut Mirror:
Warren, Sanders Demand Aetna Explain Decision To Quit ACA Exchanges
In a strongly worded letter to Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and several other Democrats, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, have asked the company to explain why it entered into a “risky” merger deal with Humana that now makes it financially unable to sell policies in 11 state health insurance exchanges. (Radelat, 9/8)
In other news from Capitol Hill —
The Hill:
Senate Takes Step Toward Bipartisan Mental Health Deal
Lawmakers are making progress toward a bipartisan deal on mental health legislation in the Senate, though there is a rapidly closing window of time to finish the deal. Mental health groups met with top senators Thursday and discussed a way past one of the major holdups for a deal in the Senate: a dispute over gun-related language being offered by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) as part of his larger mental health bill. (Sullivan, 9/8)