health insurer

The behavior of health insurers is back in the news in a big way this week. As premiums have gone up and as health insurer profits have gone up even more, the reputation of health insurers as measured in public opinion polls has stayed just above that of the tobacco companies. Now one of the nation's giants, Wellpoint's Blue Cross unit, is accused of canceling the policies of people …

Health insurer WellPoint is in talks to acquire New York-based WellChoice, the parent of Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, according to media reports. A deal has not yet been reached, but the terms of the transaction are said to be in the neighborhood of $6.5 billion in cash and stock. Industry analysts see the offer as a response to UnitedHealth Group's $8.14 billion acquisition of PacifiCare this summer. The deal would give WellPoint a strong presence on the east coast and put the company …

> The Department of Health and Human Services says it has reached terms with Sanofi-Aventis on a deal which will see the French pharma company produce its experimental HN51 vaccine. Story

> Private equity firm Blackstone is paying $1.7 billion for specialist health insurer UICI. Story

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