Anthem will appeal ruling blocking Cigna merger

Anthem will appeal a federal judge’s decision preventing a merger with Cigna, the insurer announced Thursday.

A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the proposed $48 billion merger of Anthem and Cigna, two of the nation’s largest health insurers.

Anthem, which is based in Indianapolis, said it plans to “promptly” appeal and request an expedited hearing to reverse the decision. 

“Anthem is significantly disappointed by the decision,” said Anthem CEO Joseph Swedish.

{mosads}Swedish said the merger would positively impact the health and well-being of “millions of Americans” by saving them $2 billion in medical costs.

“Moving forward, Anthem will continue to work aggressively to complete the transaction while remaining focused on serving as America’s valued health partner, delivering superior healthcare services to our approximately 40 million members with greater value at less cost.”

In her ruling, Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the D.C. District Court sided with antitrust regulators in saying the merger would lead to a domination of employer-provided health coverage in the U.S.

Republican lawmakers have argued that the pressures from ObamaCare were forcing the consolidation.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) last year called the Aetna-Humana merger “the inevitable result of ObamaCare’s push toward consolidation as doctors, hospitals and insurers merge in response to an ever-growing government.”