WASHINGTON — The Justice Department filed lawsuits Thursday to block both proposed mergers between Aetna and Humana and Anthem and Cigna. The insurers said they would fight the suits.
Justice Department
Posted inHealth
Murphy urges Aetna, Cigna to stay, doesn’t oppose mergers
With decisions from the Justice Department pending on two potential mergers involving Aetna and Cigna, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., sent a pair of letters Monday urging both companies to maintain a “strong presence” in Connecticut regardless of the outcome. He did not oppose the mergers.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Merger opponents ask DOJ to block Aetna-Humana, Anthem-Cigna deals
WASHINGTON – Opponents of the planned Aetna-Humana, Anthem-Cigna mergers have asked the U.S. Justice Department to block them in a letter that alludes to the controversy over Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Katharine Wade’s lead role in state regulatory approval of one of the deals.
Posted inNews
Insurance mergers face hurdles, increased opposition
WASHINGTON – The CEOs of the large health insurers hoping to close on historic mergers are telling investors and the public the deals are on track, but there still are a number of hurdles, and increasing opposition, to the deals.
Posted inNews
U.S. House OKs 18 bills, but little money, to fight opioid addiction
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives finished work Friday on a package of 18 bills aimed at fighting opioid addiction – but denied President Obama his request for $1.1 billion to confront the growing crisis.
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 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 inMoney, Politics
Pentagon slams Lockheed’s bid to purchase Sikorsky
WASHINGTON – While the Justice Department has given Lockheed Martin’s proposal to purchase Sikorsky Aircraft the thumbs up, the Pentagon on Wednesday frowned on the deal, saying it would lead to too much consolidation in the defense industry.
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 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 inPolitics
Blumenthal wants foreign worker visas boosted — and program reformed
WASHINGTON — Sen. Richard Blumenthal wants to expand a program that allows U.S. companies to hire workers with specialized skills, but after allegations of abuses the senator also wants the program investigated.
Posted inNews
Blumenthal slams GM report on defects, recalls
WASHINGTON – A General Motors -commissioned report on the company’s slow response to a deadly ignition-switch defect was blasted by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who said it left critical questions unanswered and absolved top officials of responsibility.
Posted inNews
Clemency program could help hundreds of CT prisoners
Washington – Within hours of Attorney General Eric Holder’s announcement of a new clemency program for nonviolent prisoners, Bridgeport Attorney Frank Riccio was flooded by calls from family members of the incarcerated who were seeking help.
Posted inHealth, Money
Medical fraud in CT costs feds millions of dollars
Washington – Reporters and lawyers have become the latest front in Washington’s war against medical fraud that in some way is unwinnable, even as it has resulted in the prosecution of Connecticut doctors and drug companies.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Blumenthal asks Justice Dept. to investigate GM
WASHINGTON — In an escalating fight with General Motors, Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined other Democratic senators Friday in asking the Justice Department to investigate the automobile maker for allegedly delaying a recall of millions of cars that had faulty ignition switches, a defect that has been linked to 13 deaths.