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Hillary Rodham Clinton warned Wednesday that two major health insurers preparing multibillion dollar acquisitions could tip "the balance of power" too far away from consumers. The Democratic presidential candidate said in a statement she had "serious concerns" with the proposed acquisition of Cigna by Blue Cross-Blue Shield insurer Anthem, and plans by Aetna to acquire Medicare Advantage coverage provider Humana. (Thomas, 10/21)

In her statement, Clinton said the companies should "commit to passing on savings and efficiencies to consumers as lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs.’’ Her comments are part of a broader health care agenda focused on the need to lower prescription drug and other out-of-pocket health care costs. As she attempts to strengthen her position in the Democratic presidential field, Clinton is appealing to her party’s progressive base that has made reining in corporate excess, particularly on Wall Street, a top priority. (Przybyla, 10/21)

Based on enrollment alone, Anthem's $48 billion buy of Cigna would create the country's largest health insurer, covering about 53 million Americans. Rival Aetna, the nation's third-largest insurer, would also gain a significant market share with its proposed $37 billion acquisition of Humana, another Medicare Advantage coverage provider. Just this week, shareholders of Aetna and Humana approved the merger, despite consumer advocates' worries that the venture could threaten competition for health plans. "I am very skeptical of the claim that consumers will benefit from them because the evidence from careful studies shows that too often the companies end up pocketing profits rather than passing savings to consumers," Clinton said in her own indictment of the mergers. (Flores, 10/21)

Cigna Corp. and Anthem Inc., which agreed to a $48 billion deal in July, slipped in Wednesday trading along with other health insurers as Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said mergers in the industry deserve more scrutiny. Cigna fell 3.9 percent to $136.61 at the New York close, and Anthem dropped 3.7 percent to $142.79. Aetna Inc. and Humana Inc., which have struck their own deal to combine, declined as well. (Tracer and Mittelman, 10/21)

Both deals, which would reduce the number of nationwide for-profit health insurers from five to three, are being closely reviewed by the U.S. Department of Justice and state insurance regulators, and have been the subject of hearings in the U.S. Congress. (10/21)

Clinton also said that, as president, she would toughen antitrust regulation at the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission and appoint “aggressive regulators” to take on industry concentration. ... Clinton said she had "serious concerns" the mergers would result in serious market concentration. (Radelat, 10/21)

Without Biden in the race, Clinton can more easily present herself as the heir to Obama's legacy and the candidate in the best position to preserve the president's health care law and pursuit of immigration reform. His decision also likely solidifies Clinton's position with the diverse coalition of black, Hispanic, female and gay voters who fueled Obama's winning campaigns. (10/21)