AMA Urges Government To Block Insurance Megamergers

Arguing that reduced insurer competition will lead to higher consumer prices and compensation issues for medical providers, the doctors group wrote a letter asking the Justice Department to block Aetna from acquiring Humana and Anthem from acquiring Cigna.

The country's leading doctors group is urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to block two proposed mergers between health insurance companies, arguing they would harm patients and reduce competition. The American Medical Association (AMA) made the argument in a letter to the DOJ on Wednesday raising objections to Aetna’s acquisition of Humana and Anthem’s acquisition of Cigna. (Sullivan, 11/11)

The proposed mergers have raised concerns that they could reduce competition among insurance plans, driving prices up for consumers and hurting the ability of medical providers to get compensated for the care they provide. Leading Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has criticized the mergers, while congressional Republicans have blamed the Affordable Care Act for prompting them. (Winfield Cunningham, 11/11)

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