Anthem-Cigna deal blocked

Feels like deja vu all over again. A federal judge rejected Anthem’s $54 billion bid to buy rival health insurer Cigna, saying the merger would likely lead to higher costs, less competition and diminished innovation. The news follows a similar announcement where a different federal judge blocked the merger of Aetna and Humana stating it would cut down competition in Medicare Advantage and in the Obamacare marketplaces. Bottom Line: Anthem plans to appeal.