Deals
Cigna Bets on Getting Bigger as Rising Costs Vex Health Business
- Deal for Express Scripts comes as rivals increase their reach
- Drug-benefits managers have faced growing U.S. political ire
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Under pressure to tame ever-increasing health-care costs, the companies that help millions of Americans manage their medical care are wagering that they can be stronger and simpler by joining forces.
Cigna Corp.’s proposed $54 billion acquisition of Express Scripts Holding Co., announced on Thursday, is the latest sign that the medical supply chain -- where multiple companies are responsible for different aspects of care -- has become too cumbersome.