Aetna, Humana deal faces pushback in Mo.

Missouri regulators called Aetna's proposed $34 billion acquisition of Humana anticompetitive for the Show-Me State's Medicare market.

Missouri Department of Insurance Director John Huff issued a preliminary order stating that if the deal is approved by federal regulators, the two companies would have to "cease and desist from doing [Medicare] business throughout the state of Missouri"

CNBC reports the order is not an outright denial of the acquisition. Instead, the insurers would likely have to divest some of their Medicare plans in the market to reduce their combined dominance.

An Aetna spokesman said the companies are prepared to negotiate with Missouri.

"This order does not impede the DOJ approval process. We are disappointed with the Missouri order but expect to have a constructive dialogue with the state to address their concerns," said T.J. Crawford, Aetna's head of media relations.

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