Here are 16 key events concerning litigation against proposed Anthem-Cigna and Aetna- Humana mergers since the U.S. Department of Justice sued the insurers July 21 over antirust concerns.
1.DOJ, states sue Anthem, Aetna to block mega deals
The U.S. Department of Justice and attorneys general from several states filed lawsuits against Anthem and Aetna out of concern their proposed acquisitions would impede health insurance competition.
2. AMA commends DOJ challenge to Anthem, Aetna deals
The American Medical Association applauded the U.S. Department of Justice's lawsuits against proposed Anthem-Cigna and Aetna-Humana deals, stating decreased competition in the health insurance market would harm patients.
3. Aetna, Humana prep legal fight to save merger
Hartford, Conn.-based Aetna and Louisville, Ky.-based Humana are establishing a game plan to fight the U.S. Department of Justice's lawsuit against their proposed $37 billion deal, Reuters reported.
4. Humana to leave ACA exchanges in 4 states
Louisville, Ky.-based Humana will exit several state Affordable Care Act individual exchanges it participated in this year, citing around $1 billion in losses, The Hill reported.
5. Aetna-Humana merger hearing postponed in Georgia
Georgia officials delayed a hearing regarding the $37 billion merger deal between Hartford, Conn.-based Aetna and Louisville, Ky.-based Humana.
6. Clinton applauds DOJ challenge to insurer mega-mergers
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton welcomed the U.S. Department of Justice's lawsuits challenging Anthem-Cigna and Aetna-Humana mega-deals, citing a greater need to make health insurance accessible for all.
7. Anthem defends merger in full-page Washington Post ad
Indianapolis-based Anthem called out the U.S. Department of Justice in a full-page ad published in The Washington Post, defending its proposed $54 billion acquisition of Bloomfield, Conn.-based Cigna.
8. Centene will not bid for Aetna-Humana assets
St. Louis-based Centene does not have the network for Medicare Advantage assets large managed care companies are looking to sell, CEO Michael Neidorff told Reuters.
9. Anthem to DOJ: Cigna merger will boost insurance market
Anthem filed papers to the U.S. Department of Justice arguing its transaction with Cigna would cut consumer cost, expand coverage and fortify Affordable Care Act online exchanges, Bloomberg reported.
10. DOJ dismisses Anthem request for speedy trial
The U.S. Department of Justice denied Anthem's request for an expedited trial regarding the department's challenge to block the insurer's $54 billion acquisition of Cigna, Bloomberg reported.
11. Anthem requests separate trial from Aetna-Humana
Indianapolis-based Anthem asked the U.S. Department of Justice to disconnect is case from a jointly filed lawsuit against Aetna and Humana, Reuters reported.
12. Connecticut joins DOJ fight against Anthem-Cigna merger
Attorney General George Jepsen said Connecticut will join the U.S. Department of Justice and 11 other state attorneys general in filing an antitrust lawsuit to block a merger between Indianapolis-based Anthem and Bloomfield, Conn.-based Cigna.
13. NY to hold hearing on Anthem-Cigna deal due to 'serious concerns': 4 takeaways
The New York State Department of Financial Services will hold a hearing before issuing a final decision on Anthem's proposed $54 billion acquisition of Cigna, Bloomberg reported.
14. Anthem: Deal needs to close by April 30, or Cigna may walk out next day
Indianapolis-based Anthem said its acquisition of Bloomfield, Conn.-based Cigna must close by April 30 or Cigna will walk out the next day, the Hartford Courant reported.
15. Judge: Rulings for both insurer mega-merger lawsuits unlikely in 2016
U.S. District Court Judge John Bates said at a pretrial meeting Thursday he could not rule on both lawsuits against Anthem-Cigna and Aetna-Humana mergers this year and will likely have to push one back, Reuters reported.
16. To speed rulings, Aetna judge passes off Anthem merger
The judge overseeing both the Anthem-Cigna and Aetna-Humana merger lawsuits has handed off one case to another judge, improving the chance both suits are decided by the end of the year, reports Indianapolis Business Journal.
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