health care mergers News

U.S. Clears Way for CVS Acquisition of Aetna That Promises Consumer Cost Savings

Pharmacy chain CVS Health Corp. won U.S. antitrust approval for its $69 billion acquisition of health insurer Aetna Inc., the Justice Department said on Wednesday, paving the way for a combination with potential to cut U.S. healthcare costs for consumers. …

Cigna Says Express Scripts Acquisition Passes Antitrust Review

Health insurer Cigna Corp.’s $52 billion acquisition of pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts Holding Co. has passed U.S. antitrust scrutiny, the companies said on Monday, allowing them to proceed with a combination they say will lead to lower costs by …

Icahn Warns Cigna Shareholders to Vote Against ‘Overpriced’ Express Scripts Deal

Activist investor Carl Icahn said shareholders in Cigna Corp. should vote against the $54 billion takeover of pharmacy-benefits firm Express Scripts Holding Co. because the health insurer is “dramatically overpaying.” “Cigna management is offering to pay an all-time high price …

Cigna Confident About Express Scripts Deal, Despite Icahn Opposition

Cigna Corp. said on Thursday it was confident of winning shareholder approval for its $52 billion Express Scripts buyout, a day after reports that investor Carl Icahn had picked up a stake in the insurer and was planning to vote …

Investor Icahn to Oppose Cigna-Express Deal, Fearing Amazon Threat: Sources

Activist investor Carl Icahn has built a sizable stake in Cigna Corp. and plans to oppose the health insurer’s $54 billion takeover of pharmacy-benefits firm Express Scripts Holding Co., according to people familiar with the matter. Chief among Icahn’s concerns …

How Insurer and Benefit Manager Mergers Squeeze Out Smaller Pharmacies

Over 20 years, Brian Komoto built a thriving pharmacy in California’s Central Valley. Each day, his nurses would travel the vast agricultural region’s roads to help hepatitis C patients take a grueling regimen of shots. Then, in 2016, 20 percent …