A PYMNTS Company

US: Anthem-Cigna merger awaits ruling from judge

By  |  December 15, 2016

The first phase of the Justice Department’s lawsuit to halt Anthem’s planned takeover of rival insurer Cigna is in the hands of a federal judge after the government wrapped up its arguments Tuesday that the deal would harm competition in the national insurance market.

US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson in Washington will issue her decision on whether the combination of the companies risks higher costs for large employers nationwide and should be blocked. She didn’t say when she would rule.

During Tuesday’s session, Jackson questioned lawyers for Anthem and the Justice Department on their arguments about the competitive effects of the $48 billion deal. She said Anthem’s calculations related to market-share data for competitors were “distressing.”

Full Content: Chicago Tribune

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.