Simmering tensions between Anthem Inc. and Cigna Corp. exploded Tuesday as Cigna sued to end their $48 billion deal, and Anthem moments later said the smaller health insurer had no right to do so and that it would fight to keep the merger alive. As part of its lawsuit, Cigna is seeking a $1.85 billion breakup fee, plus $13 billion in additional damages it says are owed after “the path for regulatory approval of the transaction was fatally compromised” by Anthem.
Category: Anthem
US judge blocks Anthem-Cigna health insurance merger
A federal judge on Wednesday rejected Anthem Inc.’s bid to buy rival health insurer Cigna Corp., saying the merger would likely lead to higher costs, less competition and diminished innovation. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said the merger would significantly reduce competition in the already concentrated insurance market, particularly for large national employers.
US judge blocks Anthem-Cigna health insurance merger
A federal judge on Wednesday rejected Anthem Inc.’s bid to buy rival health insurer Cigna Corp., saying the merger would likely lead to higher costs, less competition and diminished innovation. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said the merger would significantly reduce competition in the already concentrated insurance market, particularly for large national employers.
D.C. Judge, Citing ‘Serious Concerns,’ Blocks Aetna’s $37B Merger With Humana
Aetna Inc.’s proposed $37 billion acquisition of Humana Inc., punctuating an era of antitrust enforcement under the Obama administration that broke up merger deals in a host of industries. Aetna’s deal and also moved to block Anthem Inc.’s proposed $54 billion acquisition of Cigna Corp. Antitrust enforcers alleged the two mergers would amount to an “unprecedented consolidation in the health insurance industry.”
What’s next for the obamacare insurance exchanges?
Americans who buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces could have fewer health plan choices and face new enrollment hurdles and cost pressures in 2018, health policy analysts say. Lacking clarity on the future of the ACA, also known as Obamacare, several large insurers say they are weighing their options for 2018.
Aetna Fight for Humana Awaits Judge’s Ruling in U.S. Case
Aetna Inc.’s fight to complete its purchase of Humana Inc. is now with a federal judge who must decide whether the combination of the two health insurers should be blocked because it risks raising consumers’ costs. U.S. District Judge John D. Bates in Washington heard final arguments Friday from the companies and the Justice Department about the $37 billion deal, which the government says should be stopped.