Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Anthem-Cigna Merger Goes To Trial In Final Chapter Of Obama's Antitrust Efforts
The New York Times: The Future Of Health Care Mergers Under Trump
The proposed health insurance mega-merger between Anthem and Cigna heads to court on Monday, as the companies face off against a Justice Department seeking to block their $48 billion deal. It will be followed in just a few weeks by the trial for another proposed insurance mega-merger, between Aetna and Humana. (Abelson, 11/20)
The Wall Street Journal: Insurer Anthem To Defend Cigna Deal In Court
The trial starts Monday in the Justice Department’s challenge to health insurer Anthem Inc.’s $48 billion acquisition of reluctant partner Cigna Corp., a case that could produce unusual courtroom drama and be a last hurrah for President Barack Obama’s antitrust enforcers. The Justice Department has been aggressive in challenging mergers recently, but none of its efforts is bigger than its lawsuits challenging the Anthem-Cigna deal, the largest ever in the industry, and a $34 billion deal that would combine insurers Aetna Inc. and Humana Inc. A trial on the latter transaction begins Dec. 5. (Kendall and Wilde Mathews, 11/20)
St. Louis Post Dispatch: Consumers Should Pay Attention To Insurance Antitrust Case
On Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice will begin arguing its case against what it says is the largest merger in the history of the health insurance industry. The Justice Department is challenging Anthem’s $54 billion acquisition of Cigna Corp., alleging that the deal will reduce competition among insurance carriers in dozens of markets, leading to increased market power for Anthem, which could lead to increased costs for consumers. Health care economists agree this is a case area consumers should care about. (Liss, 11/19)
