The proposed mergers of four insurance giants would create less competition in the marketplace and potentially prevent people from getting affordable health care coverage, the American Medical Association said Wednesday.

The medical association released an analysis of the proposed mergers between Anthem-Cigna and Aetna-Humana finding the two new companies would diminish competition in more than a dozen states as well as more than 100 metropolitan markets.

AMA had previously encouraged the U.S. Department of Justice and several state attorneys general to oppose the merger. The new analysis gives the association more ammunition.

"The AMA analyses show that the Anthem-Cigna and Aetna-Humana mergers would significantly compromise market competition in the health insurance industry and threaten health care access, quality and affordability," AMA President Andrew Gurman said. "With existing competition in health insurance markets already at alarmingly low levels, federal and state antitrust officials have powerful reasons to block harmful mergers and foster a more competitive marketplace that will operate in patients' best interests." http://bit.ly/2cwOCtb

The companies argue just the opposite. Aetna spokeswoman Kristine Grow told the Chicago Tribune her company's proposed merger would offer more choices to consumers as well as more affordable care."

"We'll be able to bring our best practices together," she told the newspaper. http://trib.in/2d4kftq

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