Mergers & Acquisitions

S&P Global Ratings has placed Aetna and Humana on creditwatch following the Department of Justice's announcement Thursday to block their merger.

Each of the inpatient rehab facilities is operated by affiliates of HealthSouth Corp. through long-term net leases.

Anthem and Aetna plan to pursue in court the Department of Justice's injunction to block their respective mergers with Cigna and Humana, according to statements from both insurers.

Sources close to the deals are saying the U.S. Department of Justice is about to block the proposed mergers between Anthem and Cigna, and Aetna and Humana. Federal regulators are expected to file a lawsuit as early as this week or next on the proposed deals.

While sources have said they expect a decision in August, Bloomberg said the DOJ could file the lawsuits this week or next.

Merger and acquisition activity in the healthcare industry is booming thanks to high valuations, a strong return on investment and opportunities to consolidate, and according to new research by Cascade Partners, this is increasingly true within physician practice management.

GE Healthcare has acquired Biosafe Group, which supplies integrated cell bioprocessing systems for the cell therapy and regenerative medicine industry, for an undisclosed sum, the company announced Wednesday.

Evolent Health, which helps healthcare systems make the transition to value-based care, will acquire the majority of Valence Health's business for about $145 million, the company announced Wednesday.

McKesson Health Solutions has acquired IT vendor HealthQX to expand its IT portfolio with HealthQX's ClarityQx value-based payment technology.

Humana stock fell by 9 percent last week and a recent report gives the merger a 50/50 chance of happening.