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Humana Merger Could Cost Consumers

Stethoscope on a pile of dollars.
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Florida consumers face the risk of higher insurance rates if the merger of health care giants Humana and Aetna goes through, theTampa Bay Timesreports.

A Health Management, Policy and Innovation analysis of an insurance company merger in Nevada saw consumer costs increase 14 percent, the Times reports.

Financial experts from Eckerd College and the University of South Florida told the Times that there’s a simple economic theory involved: less competition increases costs.

Originally founded in December 2006 as an independent grassroots publication dedicated to coverage of health issues in Florida, Health News Florida was acquired by WUSF Public Media in September 2012.