AHA to DOJ: Proposed Centene-WellCare merger threatens competition

AHA today urged the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice to investigate thoroughly Centene's proposed acquisition of WellCare “because it threatens to reduce competition in delivery of Medicaid managed care and Medicare Advantage services to tens of millions of consumers across broad swaths of the country.” The letter notes, “There is no service more important to American consumers than health care, and vigorous competition among health insurance companies is necessary to ensure that consumers receive high quality at affordable rates. The facts show that the WellCare-Centene transaction is likely to significantly reduce competition and will therefore harm the most vulnerable Americans. DOJ should vigorously review this transaction's effects on current and future competition and take all appropriate measures to protect U.S. consumers.”