AETNA-HUMANA MERGER BLOCKED
A federal judge has blocked the proposed $37 billion merger between mega health insurers Aetna and Humana.
U.S. District Judge John D. Bates ruled that the merger would substantially reduce competition for Medicare Advantage plans in 364 counties. Judge Bates sided with the DOJ on its definition of the Medicare Advantage market, ruling that it does not include traditional Medicare plans. A more complete summary of the 156-page decision will be sent from The CPPC later today.
David Balto of the Coalition to Protect Patient Choice
"This is an awesome victory for consumers. Consumers throughout the country spoke with a clear voice that the merger was anticompetitive. The DOJ and the court heard answered that call. The evidence was crystal clear that when health insurers merge consumers lose by paying higher premiums and receiving poorer health care. The evidence was compelling that the merger would harm millions of vulnerable medicare beneficiaries and that the attempts to present Molina as a potential buyer to solve the problem were no more than a Potemkin village. Even the most expensive economists money could buy couldn't save this deal."
If you have any questions or would like to talk further, please contact David Balto at 202-577-5424 or Becky Davidson at 503-442-9078
