Aetna, the third largest health insurer in the nation, is leaving the health insurance industry's largest trade group, according to The Hill.
"Aetna has decided not to renew our [America's Health Insurance Plans] membership for 2016," said Aetna spokesperson Cynthia Michener. "We will continue to partner with groups that are working, as we are, toward expanding access to high-quality, affordable healthcare."
Despite the departure, AHIP, which has nearly 1,300 member companies, defended its mission.
"AHIP's successful advocacy record speaks for itself," said Marilyn Tavenner, who was named AHIP president and CEO in July. "Our members depend on AHIP to advance their key priorities, to strengthen the public-private programs that provide coverage for millions of Americans and to deliver solutions that improve access to high-quality, affordable care for consumers."
United Healthcare, the largest U.S. health insurer, left AHIP in June. It claimed its interests were "no longer best represented by AHIP," according to the report.