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.
Cigna
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 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
What does the Anthem-Cigna deal mean for consumers?
Experts say potential benefits of consolidation include economies of scale that can lead to reduced costs, while potential drawbacks include reduced competition that could have the opposite effect on prices.
Posted inPolitics
Gay rights group gives Connecticut companies high marks
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest gay rights organization, included 14 Connecticut companies in its 2015 Corporate Equality Index, an annual report that assesses inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees in major companies and law firms.
Posted inHealth
Obamacare Q&A: Exchange deadlines, insurance options and tax credits
What you need to know about the end of the 2014 open enrollment period, the insurance options you’ll have once it’s over, when you’ll face a penalty if you don’t get covered and the possibility of getting federal financial help buying a health plan outside the exchange.
Posted inHealth
For thousands of Connecticut residents, Obamacare means changing insurance plans
It’s been a consistent talking point for supporters of the federal health reform law: If you like your health plan, you’ll be able to keep it when the major provisions of the law take effect. But for many people in Connecticut who buy their own insurance, that’s not the case.
Posted inHealth
Connecticut insurers to rebate $5.6 million to customers under Obamacare rule
More than 47,000 Connecticut residents will get rebates from their health insurance companies this summer because the federal health reform law deems the premiums they paid too high.
