For Immediate Release: Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017
Contact: Haydn Bush, hbush@MessagePartnersPr.com or (872) 208-7896

STATEMENT: ANTHEM-CIGNA MERGER RULING APPLAUDED

The Physicians Advocacy Institute (PAI) applauds yesterday's federal court decision to block the proposed merger between two of the nation's largest publicly-traded health insurers, Anthem and CIGNA, due to the anticompetitive impact that the proposed merger would have on the already highly-consolidated health insurance marketplace.

"Big health insurers are zero for two when it comes to mergers, with federal courts delivering a resounding message that supports a competitive health care marketplace. This merger would have resulted in higher prices and diminished innovation, which is bad news for patients already coping with narrow provider networks and increased out-of-pocket costs. Competition helps keep premiums in check and allows more choice in which physicians patients choose to see for their medical care. This decision is a clear win for patients." 

-Robert W. Seligson, President, Physicians Advocacy Institute