“In an effort to expedite her decision, the federal judge overseeing the U.S. Justice Department’s antitrust challenge to Anthem and Cigna’s $53 billion merger will split the trial in two.
“U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson told the government and insurers on Tuesday that she will hear testimony about the massive merger’s impact on national markets in late November before turning her attention to DOJ’s concerns about local markets in December.
“By splitting the trial, Jackson could hand DOJ a quick win if they show adequate harm during the first two weeks of testimony.
“Opening arguments are set for Nov. 21, with national market testimony wrapping up by Dec. 2. The trial will take a one-week hiatus before returning to discuss local market issues, according to Jackson’s order.”
Source: Modern Healthcare. Erica Teichert.
