Today, Judge John Bates (pictured) filed a pre-trial order for the trial of Aetna and Humana, the subjects of a merger that is being challenged by the U.S. government. The order stipulates a schedule for testimony, rules for witnesses and exhibits, and when we can expect certain documents to be filed. We knew already that the trial would begin on December 5 and go through December 21. Below are some highlights from the order that might be of interest to consumer advocates who

Earlier this week, I happened upon this article about patients who are struggling to afford their insulin. This personal account of what it’s like for a real person to interact with our complex health care system is important. It’s stories like these that light a fire under lawmakers to act to make our system better. But one quotation caught my attention because it spoke to a dark suspicion many people probably hold about big healthcare. "I know that every spring," she said,

Donald Trump’s health care plan shows a remarkable ignorance of health insurance markets. Trump’s plan largely revolves around repealing Obamacare and deregulating to remove lines around states to attempt more competition. The glaring problems with this plan are twofold; first it assumes there is more competition in the market than there is, second it ignores the vital role states play in regulating their own healthcare. The result is deregulation as a catchphrase, good for a

Clinton’s new policy paper on inclusive economic growth Hillary Clinton’s speech this week on competition and entrepreneurism highlighted a growing trend in politics and academia – linking competition (or lack thereof) to economic inequality. Rising tides do not lift all boats and wealth does not trickle down. The speech and its accompanying fact sheet show that Clinton is committed to solving problems with our economy, rather than throw aphorisms around and hope the economic