, Columnist
The Success of CVS-Aetna Depends on Ambition
The diversifying oddness of the combo can help fend off Amazon and other competitors.
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The idea of the place that sells you toothpaste also managing your health insurance may feel odd. But that's set to be a new reality after CVS Health Corp.'s announcement on Sunday that it will acquire Aetna Inc. for about $67.5 billion in cash and stock.
In order to justify the hefty cost of this deal, CVS and Aetna need to embrace that oddness and become a far more prominent player in the health-care market.