US: Hillary Clinton takes aim at Aetna-Humana merger

Hillary Clinton is taking aim at the proposed merger of health insurance giants Aetna and Humana as she ratchets up her scrutiny of U.S. corporate consolidation and its effect on consumers.

In her first remarks about the deal, she expressed “serious concern” about the proposed union, as well as one between Cigna and Anthem. Clinton is urging regulators to closely scrutinize the mergers.

“I’m worried that the balance of power is moving too far away from consumers,’’ Clinton said in a statement provided by a campaign official.

“Companies proposing to merge bear the heavy burden of demonstrating that consumers will benefit,’’ said Clinton, noting that “too often the companies end up pocketing profits rather than passing savings to consumers.’’

Aetna and Humana shareholders voted Monday to approve the two companies’ merger, but like the Cigna-Anthem deal still must be approved by antitrust enforcers.

Full content: CNN

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