Amid growing concern over the effects of a proposed Anthem/Cigna merger, CSMS has joined the Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut and the Connecticut Citizen Action Group to form the Connecticut Campaign for Consumer Choice.

The coalition delivered a letter to CT Insurance Commissioner Katherine Wade, requesting the following actions to ensure that consumer voices are heard during the merger review process:

• Require that the public hearing be held at a venue and time that allows for maximum public participation.


• Grant interested parties’ intervenor status to allow for an adequate review of the proposed merger.


• Commission a study that will analyze the potential impact on cost, access, and the Connecticut economy, including jobs, as part of the deliberations.

The group also held a media call to announce the coalition and discuss the impact of the proposed merger on Connecticut patients and physicians. Media coverage has been robust: CT Mirror,  CT News Junkie ,  Courant (picked up by Bloomberg News),  CT by the Numbers, Hartford Business Journal, Register-Citizen, CT Post (also Stamford Advocate).

Look for more from the CT Campaign for Consumer Choice - follow them on Twitter (@ConnecticutCFCC) and Facebook (Connecticut Campaign for Consumer Choice).