Justice Department Urges Appeals Court To Uphold Anthem-Cigna Ruling
The government lawyers and some states are asking the court to keep a federal judge's ruling that blocked a planned merger. Meanwhile, Anthem officials notify Connecticut that the company may not participate in the 2018 online marketplace because of "uncertainties" in the market right now.
Modern Healthcare:
Trump Justice Department Stays Strong Against Anthem-Cigna Merger Appeal
The U.S. Justice Department and several states on Monday urged a federal appeals court not to overturn a decision blocking Anthem and Cigna's proposed $54 billion merger. In a brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the Trump administration Justice Department said there was “overwhelming evidence” showing the blocked merger would never create any of the proposed efficiencies that Anthem touted. (Teichert, 3/13)
The CT Mirror:
Anthem Uncertain It Will Continue In CT’s Individual Market Next Year
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is likely to notify state regulators this summer that it will withdraw from Connecticut’s individual market next year – even though the company has not yet decided whether to sell plans in 2018, the company’s president told the head of the state’s health insurance exchange. Companies seeking to withdraw from the market must notify the state six months in advance – a deadline that falls before the likely resolution of “uncertainties” affecting whether Anthem could sell coverage through the individual market, Anthem President Jill R. Hummel wrote. (Levin Becker, 3/12)