Today a federal judge blocked the proposed $48 billion merger of giant health insurers Anthem and Cigna, just two weeks after another federal judge blocked the proposed $37 billion merger between Aetna and Humana. (That judge found Aetna had lied when it said its decision to pull out of Obamacare was triggered by mounting losses; it was triggered by its desire to merge with Humana.)
Both judges agreed with Justice Department that the mergers would violate antitrust laws — giving the combinations too much economic power to raise prices.
Both decisions will almost certainly be appealed by the companies. But Trump’s and Jeff Session’s Justice Department might back down and allow the mergers to proceed.
Which will reveal the underlying choice America faces: Either a private-for profit health insurance system run by a few giant corporations charging as much as possible, or a single-payer system run to keep Americans health at the lowest cost.
What do you think?
HENRY KOTULA 