wo consumer groups are forming a coalition with New York labor unions to oppose the proposed megamergers of Aetna with Humana and Anthem with Cigna. The American Medical Association has also asked the Justice Department to stop the acquisitions.
Two U.S. consumer groups announced the formation of a coalition with New York labor unions on Thursday to press antitrust regulators to oppose big insurance mergers that would cut the number of nationwide for-profit health insurers from five to three. The Coalition to Preserve Patient Choice, made up of the Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Action and others, was formed because of concern about Anthem Inc’s purchase of Cigna Corp for $47 billion and Aetna Inc’s decision to buy Humana Inc for $37 billion, the group said in a statement. (11/12)
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. (Radelat, 11/12)
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