Anthem, Aetna Sued by U.S. Seeking to Block Insurer Mergers

  • Cigna, Humana takeovers would harm consumers by raising costs
  • Pair of tie-ups would reduce top insurers to three from five

U.S. Sues to Block Anthem, Aetna Insurance Mergers

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U.S. antitrust enforcers roundly rejected a pair of proposed deals that would consolidate the nation’s five biggest health insurers into three.

The Justice Department on Thursday sued to block two separate tie-ups -- Anthem Inc.’s $48 billion takeover of rival health insurer Cigna Corp. and Aetna Inc.’s $37 billion bid for Humana Inc. -- saying the deals would raise health-care costs and reduce choice for consumers.