Statement on the Aetna-Humana Deal Decision

Rick Pollack
AHA President and CEO

Today’s decision rightly puts the needs of patients first in ensuring they have access to health care coverage that is affordable. The Court’s decision to halt the Aetna-Humana deal promises more than 2.7 million Medicare Advantage (MA) patients the benefits of greater competition, including lower out-of-pocket costs and more access to high-quality care.

Humana is the second-largest Medicare Advantage insurer and Aetna the fourth with plans in more than 1,000 markets. If this deal had been allowed to proceed, it would have eliminated current competition as well as the possibility of future competition. Such consolidation would no doubt result in higher premiums and less choice.

Competition in the insurance sector is essential to keeping Medicare Advantage healthy, growing and affordable for seniors; with today’s decision the court affirmed the importance of those benefits.

About the AHA

The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 43,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at www.aha.org.