The U.S. House of Representatives was out and the Senate had a shortened work week because of the Veterans Day holiday, but there was still plenty of activity in Congress. The Senate approved a final defense bill that authorizes billions of dollars in spending on weapon systems developed in Connecticut. The Federal Railroad Administration took a big step forward on an ambitious overhaul of the rail system in the Northeast Corridor.
Anthem
Posted inHealth
AMA asks Justice Department to block Aetna-Humana, Anthem-Cigna mergers
WASHINGTON – Saying it would end competition in key markets and erode patient care, the American Medical Association has asked the Justice Department to quash the proposed mergers between insurance giants Aetna and Humana and Anthem and Cigna.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Clinton has ‘serious concerns’ about Aetna-Humana, Anthem-Cigna deals
WASHINGTON — Planned consolidations by some of the nation’s largest health insurers were propelled into the 2016 race for the White House Wednesday as Hillary Clinton said she has “serious concerns” about Aetna’s plan to acquire Humana and Anthem’s proposal to buy Cigna.
Posted inPolitics
Jepsen no longer recused from role in Anthem-Cigna merger
Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen will no longer recuse himself from the review of a proposed $54 billion merger between Anthem and Cigna, his office revealed on Tuesday.
Posted inPolitics
CT ethics office still in ‘conversation’ with Wade about recusal
While Insurance Commissioner Katharine Wade, a former Cigna in-house lobbyist, said she won’t recuse herself from involvement in the $54-billion merger between Cigna and Anthem, the issue has not been settled by the Connecticut Office of State Ethics, which is still in discussions with her about the situation.
Posted inPolitics
This Week in Washington
Congress moved at the 11th hour to avert a government shutdown, but it’s only a short-term fix — with a new budget deadline of Dec. 11. Access Health CT CEO James Wadleigh defended the operations of Connecticut’s health exchange to skeptical GOP lawmakers. Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini’s plans to merge with Humana were also scrutinized by a House panel this week.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Aetna, Anthem merger plans under scrutiny, again, by Congress
WASHINGTON – Members of both political parties expressed increasing skepticism Tuesday when they continued their scrutiny of the proposed mergers of insurance giants Aetna and Humana and Anthem and Cigna.
Posted inHealth, Money
Amid questions, commissioner won’t recuse herself from Anthem-Cigna proposal
Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Katharine L. Wade, a former Cigna lobbyist whose husband still works for the company, said she does not intend to recuse herself from considering Anthem’s proposal to buy the Bloomfield insurer — a choice that drew criticism about a potential conflict of interest.
Posted inPolitics
Connecticut’s Washington Week
Pope Francis’ visit to Washington, which included an address to the joint session of Congress, overshadowed everything this week — except perhaps House Speaker John Boehner’s subsequent resignation.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Blumenthal, others grill Aetna, Anthem chiefs about mergers
WASHINGTON – Skeptical members of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday questioned Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini and Anthem CEO Joseph Swedish about their plans to merge with other large insurers, citing concerns about the consolidation’s impact on consumers.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Congress scrutinizes Aetna-Humana and Anthem-Cigna deals
WASHINGTON– Congressional Republicans are blaming a wave of mergers and other types of consolidation by hospitals, pharmaceuticals and insurers, on the Affordable Care Act. That new interest in consolidation on the health care field is bringing unwanted political attention to the proposed Aetna-Humana and Anthem-Cigna mergers.
Posted inPolitics
Aetna-Humana, Anthem-Cigna mergers spark D.C. lobbying war
WASHINGTON — With high stakes in play, Aetna, Inc. has hired four high-powered Washington lobbying firms to help the company win federal approval of a merger with Humana. Cigna followed by hiring three D.C. lobbying firms this week to press its case to merge with Anthem.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Anthem breach prompts CT lawmakers to demand encryption
The Democratic leaders of the Connecticut Senate responded Wednesday to the Anthem data breach by proposing that insurers selling health plans in the state be required to encrypt Social Security numbers and other client information.
Posted inHealth, Money, Politics
Insurers’ financial health improves post-Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON — As House Republicans once again voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act this week, there was further evidence the controversial bill is contributing to the good health of some of the nation’s major health insurers.
Posted inNews
Health trends. Schools. Politics. Money. Trees. (& a bit of whatnot)
If you blinked this week, you missed something — it was a non-stop cascade of news and events of interest to Connecticut residents.