Justice Dept. Action on Insurer Deals May Come This Week

The DOJ's Antitrust Division is concerned about two major insurance mergers: Aetna's bid for Humana and Anthem's attempt to acquire Cigna. These deals could reduce competition, affecting consumers negatively. The DOJ may file lawsuits if settlements aren't reached soon. Political factors, like the upcoming election, might influence proceedings, though the DOJ claims impartiality. Market reactions show a decline in share prices for Humana and Cigna. Companies might consider divesting assets to address regulatory concerns, but challenges exist, especially for Anthem and Cigna, due to the limited number of national market players.

What role does the political timetable play in the DOJ's review of these healthcare mergers?

What impact have the proposed mergers had on the share prices of the involved companies?