After Letter From Blumenthal, Department of Justice Seeks to Block Proposed Health Insurer Mergers

Press Release

After a call from U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), the Department of Justice (DOJ) today announced it will file a lawsuit to block two separate health insurance mergers, Anthem Inc's purchase of Cigna Corp and Aetna Inc's acquisition of Humana Inc. Blumenthal has been a vocal opponent of the proposed mergers and led a group of seven Senators in calling on the DOJ to block the two proposed mergers due to concerns they would threaten jobs, increase premiums, and decrease access to quality health care.

"This federal court action thankfully should stop misguided mega mergers that would kill jobs and raise prices. I am pleased that the Department of Justice heeded my call to preserve competition and consumer choice in the health insurance market, along with pleas from other consumer advocates. Such mammoth mergers threaten jobs, hike prices, lessen choice, and lower health care quality. I will continue working to help these companies be successful, thriving, independent competitors here in Connecticut," Blumenthal said.

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