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US: Judge rejects DOJ motion to delay in CVS/Aetna case due to government shutdown

By  |  January 15, 2019

Federal Judge Richard Leon isn’t buying the partial government shutdown as a reason for the Department of Justice (DOJ) not to submit comments in the CVS Health and Aetna merger case.

Leon, on Friday, January 11, ordered the DOJ attorneys to “roll up their sleeves” and respond by February 15. The DOJ is required to respond to public comments on the CVS and Aetna consent agreement.

The DOJ also filed a motion last week to stay the appeals proceedings in the case of a Texas judge who ruled the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional.

“Absent an appropriation, Department of Justice attorneys are prohibited from working, even on a voluntary basis, except in very limited circumstances, including ’emergencies involving the safety of human life or the protection of property,’” the DOJ told the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The US House has filed a motion to intervene in the appeals case and their responses are due January 17, stated the DOJ, which added that it intends to oppose the intervention.

Full Content: Health Leaders Media

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