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The first phase of the U.S. Justice Department’s lawsuit to halt Anthem Inc.’s planned takeover of rival insurer Cigna Corp. is in the hands of a federal judge after the government wrapped up its arguments Tuesday that the deal would harm competition in the national insurance market. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson in Washington will issue her decision on whether the combination of the companies risks higher costs for large employers around the country and should be blocked. She didn’t say when she would rule. (McLaughlin, 12/13)

A federal judge put a lawyer for Anthem Inc. on the hot seat Tuesday, probing potential weaknesses in the insurer’s argument that its proposed acquisition of Cigna Corp. wouldn’t harm competition. ... Phase one of the two-part trial, focusing on whether the deal would harm large national employers, ended Tuesday. The judge brought in lawyers from both sides to pepper them with questions about the evidence they have presented so far. While both sides at times faced tough questions, Anthem appeared to have the rockier ride. (Kendall, 12/13)

The hostilities between proposed merger partners Anthem and Cigna was on full display Tuesday at a key point of a U.S. antitrust trial over the deal. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson intently questioned lawyers representing the Justice Department and Anthem after about two weeks of trial testimony on Tuesday. Before wrapping up the first phase of the trial, Jackson asked Cigna attorney Rick Rule why he did not sign on to Anthem’s summary documents. (Radelat, 12/13)

The first phase of the trial to determine whether Anthem’s $54 billion acquisition of Cigna can proceed wrapped up Tuesday morning, with tensions between the would-be merger partners again coming to the forefront. The trial's opening phase focused on whether the blockbuster deal, which would create the country's largest health insurance company, will significantly hurt competition in the market for large employers. (Demko, 12/13)