Humana News and In-Depth Reporting

CT approval of Aetna-Humana merger draws fire

by Ana Radelat May 26, 2016March 4, 2022

Updated at 5:30 p.m.
WASHINGTON — Opponents of the proposed Aetna-Humana merger on Thursday blasted the state insurance department for approving the deal, saying it was “rubber stamped” without public input, and asked the department to reopen the case.

Health, Politics

CT signs off on Aetna-Humana merger, but other hurdles remain

by Ana Radelat May 25, 2016March 4, 2022

WASHINGTON — The Connecticut Insurance Department has signed off on Aetna’s proposed merger with Humana, but other hurdles remain for that deal and another merger proposed by Cigna and Anthem.

CT Viewpoints

Insurance giants’ proposed merger likely to hurt Connecticut health care

by Frances Padilla, Tom Swan and Matthew Katz May 5, 2016March 4, 2022

The proposed mergers of insurance giants Anthem/Cigna and Aetna/Humana are likely to have a negative impact on both the cost and quality of care in Connecticut. Mergers are usually justified by claims of increased efficiency and opportunity for innovation, but based on past experience those results are rarely delivered. In fact, such a major consolidation would permanently change our state’s health care system for patients, physicians and other stakeholders.

This is a picture of Anthem's application to acquire Cigna

Health

Critics urge more transparency in Anthem-Cigna merger review

by Arielle Levin Becker March 23, 2016March 4, 2022

Saying that “all eyes will be on Connecticut,” critics of two pending mergers of major health insurers have asked the state’s insurance commissioner to take steps they say would increase transparency in the review of Anthem’s proposed acquisition of Cigna.

Health

Five stories that can make 2016 a big year in health care

by Arielle Levin Becker December 30, 2015March 4, 2022

“I haven’t seen a time in my almost 10 years here in the state where there’s so much happening in health care,” says state Healthcare Advocate Victoria Veltri. Here are five health care stories to watch in 2016.

Health

Unlike UnitedHealth, Aetna, Anthem say they will stay in ACA exchanges

by Ana Radelat November 20, 2015July 20, 2022

WASHINGTON — UnitedHealth may quit the nation’s insurance exchanges, but Aetna and Anthem say they are staying and will work on problems with the marketplaces.

Politics

Short week for Congress yields defense funding, railroad revival

by Ana Radelat November 13, 2015March 4, 2022

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.

Health

AMA asks Justice Department to block Aetna-Humana, Anthem-Cigna mergers

by Ana Radelat November 12, 2015March 4, 2022

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.

Health, Politics

Clinton has ‘serious concerns’ about Aetna-Humana, Anthem-Cigna deals

by Ana Radelat October 21, 2015March 4, 2022

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.

Politics

This Week in Washington

by Ana Radelat October 2, 2015August 3, 2022

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.

Health, Politics

Aetna, Anthem merger plans under scrutiny, again, by Congress

by Ana Radelat September 29, 2015March 4, 2022

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.

Health, Politics

Blumenthal, others grill Aetna, Anthem chiefs about mergers

by Ana Radelat September 22, 2015March 4, 2022

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.

Health, Politics

Congress scrutinizes Aetna-Humana and Anthem-Cigna deals

by Ana Radelat September 10, 2015March 4, 2022

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.

Politics

Aetna-Humana, Anthem-Cigna mergers spark D.C. lobbying war

by Ana Radelat August 31, 2015March 4, 2022

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.

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In-depth journalism.
In your home state.
In your inbox.