DMHC

Anthem-Cigna, Aetna-Humana Mergers, Split Regulators

Last week, the California Department of Managed Health Care approved the merger of Aetna and Humana. The move seemed unlikely after a hearing at which DMHC Director Shelley Rouillard expressed skepticism about how the deal could benefit consumers, noting especially Aetna’s history of serial unreasonable rate hikes ($39 million in excessive rates in just 8 months).

Is Aetna Lazy, or just Greedy?

The Department of Insurance held a hearing this morning into the proposed $37 billion merger of health insurance giants Aetna and Humana. Aetna is seeking to expand its market share the lazy way by buying up competitors instead of gaining customers the old-fashioned way: by having the best product. 

Was Health Net-Centene Merger Approval A One-Off, Or Tone-Setting for Anthem, Aetna Deals?

Did California regulators' approval of the Centene and Health Net merger give a preview of how reviews of Anthem's proposed consolidation with Cigna will go down? Let's hope not. Conditions for Health Net were a world away from what regulators will find in the Anthem-Cigna deal. (More on those hearings here.)  
 

Will CA Regulators Protect Anthem And Cigna Or Consumers?

Considering Anthem and Cigna's past behavior, California consumers better prepare themselves for the worst if state regulators don't do the right thing on their proposed merger. 
 

Capitol Watchdog: Upcoming Meetings to Watch

Aliso Canyon will be front and center at an Assembly Utilities and Commerce hearing today. Sen. Fran Pavley's bill, SB 380, would require state officials to immediately institute a moratorium on injections of natural gas into any wells located within and serving the Aliso Canyon storage facility.

The consolidation of the health insurance market continues as DMHC reviews Anthem's proposed acquisition of Cigna. Read those details and more, below.

State Regulators Defenseless In the Face of Aetna Premium Hikes

Aetna is ending the year just like it started, with state regulators saying the insurance company has hiked premiums excessively, and there is nothing they can do about it. 
 

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