In light of the planned merger between Humana Inc. and Aetna Inc., two lawmakers from Wisconsin want a guarantee that there would be “zero job reductions” as a result of the insurers’ union.
The deal is being assessed by federal regulators he U.S. Department of Justice and state insurance commissioners for antitrust concerns.
State Rep. Eric Genrich and state Sen. Dave Hansen sent a letter to Wisconsin insurance commissioner Ted Nickel, highlighting how the potential job loss could be devastating to the Green Bay area.
“[We] ask that (the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance) receive a guarantee of zero job reductions within Humana's Wisconsin locations should the proposed merger proceed," the letter read.
Humana is the largest private employer in Brown County, where Green Bay is located. The company employs 3,100 individuals.
Both Humana and Aetna require Wisconsin’s approval before the $37 billion merger can take place. The two insurers have already received the approval of 10 states, to date. Kentucky was one such state that approved the deal back in February.
The letter also urged the state’s insurance commissioner to work closely with the insurers to keep drug prices and insurance premiums affordable, as well as to help keep the region’s market competitively healthy.
