“Today’s decision is a victory for American consumers—especially seniors and working families and individuals,” Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent Snyder, heading the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, said in a written statement. “Competition spurs health insurers to offer higher quality and more affordable health insurance to seniors who choose Medicare Advantage plans and to low-income families and individuals who purchase insurance from public exchanges.:
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, presiding over the Anthem trial, hasn’t yet issued a ruling. A decision is expected soon.
The ruling Monday came as the Trump administration sets up new leadership in the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission, potentially presenting a new dynamic for companies after eight years of Democratic-led regulatory and enforcement agencies.
Some Trump advisers have argued that big doesn’t necessarily mean bad. Still, Trump hasn’t given a clear sign about how his administration will approach corporate mergers. Trump has repeatedly said he’s not in favor of AT&T Inc.’s proposed tie-up with Time Warner Inc.
“I have been on the record in the past of saying it’s too big and we have to keep competition,” Trump told Axios. “So, but other than that, I haven’t, you know, I haven’t seen any of the facts, yet. I’m sure that will be presented to me and to the people within government.”
