State should take close look at proposed CVS purchase of Aetna, says Cahill

ALBANY – State agencies should carefully review the acquisition of Aetna insurance by drug store chain CVS, Assemblyman Kevin Cahill (D, Kingston), chairman of the Insurance Committee, said Monday.
He said while significant federal hurdles must be overcome, the state departments of Health and Financial Services should also examine the deal.
“Not only are each of these entities already significant players in their fields, extreme caution must be exercised before merging for-profit health insurance companies with for-profit health providers is even considered in our state,” Cahill said.
The assemblyman said CVS “has been leading the lobbying effort to legalize so-called ‘minute clinics’ in New York State, in direct competition with private practice doctors and not-for-profit health clinics. We have already seen the way prescription business has been steered to this giant entity, often at the expense of the neighborhood pharmacy.”
Cahill said from early reports, “a significant aspect of CVS’ plan as part of this Aetna takeover is to steer even more health care to their business entities, including toward these for-profit clinics.”