AMA, other orgs call for rejection of Aetna/Humana merger
The American Medical Association (AMA) has joined forces with the Florida Medical Association and Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, and written a letter to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, calling on her to reject the proposed merger of Aetna and Humana.
The 10-page letter, signed by James L. Madara, MD, AMA executive vice president and CEO, emphasized that the merger would have “anticompetitive consequences” and would negatively impact the quality and affordability of healthcare throughout Florida.
“Competition, not consolidation, is the right prescription for Florida’s health insurance markets,” Andrew W. Gurman, MD, AMA president-elect, said in a prepared statement. “Less competition in Florida’s already consolidated health insurance markets will lead to price increases, not to greater efficiency or lower health care costs. Given the negative long-term consequences of the proposed merger, any remedy short of rejection would not adequately protect 2.4 million people in Florida.”
The AMA’s statement also noted “troubling trends” in the health insurance marketplace, saying officials from Florida should enforce antitrust laws for the sake of patients.
The complete letter is available to download and read on the AMA’s website, along with 100-plus pages of background information. Previous coverage of the Aetna/Humana merger can be found here.
Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.