Aetna-Humana $37B merger blocked by judge

A federal judge Monday put the brakes to the proposed $37 billion merger between Aetna and Humana.

The antitrust decision can be appealed, but according to USA Today, the temporary block is a setback for the companies that announced in July a deal to create the largest seller of Medicare Advantage plans.

"In this case, the government alleged that the merger of Aetna and Humana would be likely to substantially lessen competition in markets for individual Medicare Advantage plans and health insurance sold on the public exchanges," U.S. District Court Judge John Bates wrote in his 156-page ruling. "After a 13-day trial, and based on careful consideration of the law, evidence and arguments, the court mostly agrees."

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