In a 156-page opinion, Judge Bates ruled the deal would significantly reduce competition in the Medicare Advantage market in 364 complaint counties and three complaint counties in Florida.
The organization deemed the decision a “win” for both patients and physicians. Nitin S. Damle, MD, ACP president, said he personally supports decision due to his career as a practicing primary care internist. He said, “I am relieved that the proposed merger will be blocked. This merger would have resulted in higher prices and less competition, and ultimately resulted in a strain on patients, both in their choice of insurance provider and in the cost that would be passed on to them.”
The ACP previously voiced its concerns over the merger in December 2015 to the Assistant Attorney General.
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