Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Democratic Senators Press Aetna CEO About Decision To Leave Marketplaces
Morning Consult: Senate Democrats Again Question Aetna’s Exchange Withdrawal
A group of Democratic senators sent a second letter to Aetna’s CEO on Friday, demanding the company answer questions about its decision to pull out of Obamacare exchanges. The senators sent another letter to CEO Mark Bertolini earlier this month, but they said Aetna failed to answer their questions. Aetna announced this summer it would be withdrawing from most Obamacare exchanges after suffering losses. Some members have questioned the timing of the announcement, which came after the Department of Justice challenged Aetna’s proposed merger with Humana. (Owens, 9/23)
The CT Mirror: Senators Press Fight With Aetna Over Quitting ACA Exchanges
The senators had written Bertolini on Sept. 8, asking the Aetna chief about his decision to withdraw from 11 Affordable Care Act exchanges after the Justice Department challenged Aetna’s proposed merger with Humana. The senators asked Bertolini to respond to 12 questions, including “what exact costs Aetna will incur now that the Justice Department has challenged the merger” and how much it will cost the company if the merger is ultimately blocked. They also asked Bertolini why his company agreed to pay Humana a $1 billion breakup fee if the merger were not approved and whether the company was aware this payment would endanger its participation in the ACA exchanges. (Radelat, 9/23)
The Hill: Blue Cross Of Nebraska Dropping Out Of ObamaCare Market
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska announced Friday that is pulling out of the ObamaCare marketplace in the state, becoming the latest insurer to cite financial losses when reducing participation in the healthcare law. The move is especially significant given that it is a Blue Cross plan, which form the backbone of the ObamaCare marketplaces. Nebraska, though, will still have two insurers, Aetna and Medica, on its marketplace next year. (Sullivan, 9/23)
