The American Medical Association applauded the U.S. Department of Justice's lawsuits against proposed Anthem-Cigna and Aetna-Humana deals, stating decreased competition in the health insurance market would harm patients.
"The prospect of reducing five national health insurance carriers to just three is unacceptable," Chicago-based AMA wrote in a statement. "Given the mergers' potential to significantly compromise market competition, the AMA strongly supports the antitrust challenge from federal regulators."
The DOJ's challenge could halt Indianapolis-based Anthem's proposed $54 billion acquisition of Bloomfield, Conn.-based Cigna and Hartford, Conn.-based Aetna's $37 billion acquisition of Louisville, Ky.-based Humana.
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