merger News and In-Depth Reporting

Warren, Sanders demand Aetna explain decision to quit ACA exchanges

by Ana Radelat September 8, 2016 @ 1:39 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:59 pm

Updated 5:27 p.m.
WASHINGTON – In a strongly worded letter to Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and several other Democrats, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, have asked the company to explain why it entered into a “risky” merger deal with Humana that now makes it financially unable to sell policies in 11 state health insurance exchanges.

Health

Aetna said it would pull back from exchanges if merger wasn’t approved

by Ana Radelat August 17, 2016 @ 4:17 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:01 pm

WASHINGTON — Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini told the Justice Department the insurer would have to pull back from the Affordable Care Act’s state insurance exchanges if a proposed merger deal with Humana was not approved, provoking strong reaction on Capitol Hill.

Health, Justice

Aetna offers divestitures, Cigna looking at its options

by Ana Radelat August 2, 2016 @ 10:17 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:58 pm

WASHINGTON — Aetna and Humana said Tuesday they have an agreement to sell Medicare Advantage business covering 290,000 people to rival insurer Molina if their planned merger is allowed to be completed. Aetna also said it is halting 2017 plans to expand participation on public exchanges and is reviewing all of its current participation on Affordable Care Act exchanges.

News

Jepsen concerned about Anthem-Cigna deal, may move to block it

by Ana Radelat July 7, 2016 @ 5:07 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:55 pm

WASHINGTON — Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen said he is concerned an Anthem-Cigna merger would result in decreased competition and higher premiums and will make a decision in as soon as two weeks whether to try to block it in court.

Health, Politics

Aetna-Humana, Anthem-Cigna facing different merger obstacles

by Ana Radelat June 22, 2016 @ 5:00 amMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:52 pm

WASHINGTON – So far, Aetna appears to be clearing the regulatory and antitrust hurdles it faces to merge with Humana more easily, while Anthem’s proposed marriage to Cigna has faced more troubles. Neither has yet cleared the hurdle of antitrust approval from the U.S. Justice Department.

Health, Politics

Consumer group demands Wade recuse herself on Cigna merger

by Ana Radelat June 2, 2016 @ 8:23 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:53 pm

WASHINGTON — A consumer group says Gov. Dannel Malloy should avoid “going back to the days of Corrupticut” and replace Insurance Commissioner Katharine Wade as the key state regulator on a proposed mega-merger between Anthem and Cigna insurance companies.

Politics

CT approval of Aetna-Humana merger draws fire

by Ana Radelat May 26, 2016 @ 4:11 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:51 pm

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.

Politics

Short week for Congress yields defense funding, railroad revival

by Ana Radelat November 13, 2015 @ 12:51 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:46 pm

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, 2015 @ 6:01 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:46 pm

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.

News

In the news: Pacific trade pact, Sikorsky sale, billions for CT defense firms

by Ana Radelat November 6, 2015 @ 3:40 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:45 pm

Congress approved billions for Connecticut defense projects; Sen. Richard Blumenthal stepped up his campaign fundraising with attacks on CNBC commentator Larry Kudlow; Lockheed Martin got the last approval it needed to finalize its purchase of Sikorsky; and the White House released the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

News

With China’s OK, Lockheed Martin to close on Sikorsky purchase

by Ana Radelat November 3, 2015 @ 7:49 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:44 pm

WASHINGTON – Lockheed Martin said on Tuesday that it has received a final regulatory approval from China, allowing it to close on its $9 billion acquisition of Sikorsky Aircraft from United Technologies. Lockheed Martin said it anticipated closing on Friday.

Health, Politics

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

by Ana Radelat October 21, 2015 @ 1:16 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:42 pm

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

Jepsen no longer recused from role in Anthem-Cigna merger

by Ana Radelat October 20, 2015 @ 2:12 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:42 pm

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.

Politics

CT ethics office still in ‘conversation’ with Wade about recusal

by Ana Radelat October 7, 2015 @ 5:30 amMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:43 pm

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.

Politics

Connecticut’s Washington Week

by Ana Radelat September 25, 2015 @ 12:40 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:41 pm

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.

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