What We're Reading: Aetna's ACA Future, Teva Loses MS Patent, and Hawaii Saves Parts of ACA

Aetna Is Uncertain About Its ACA Participation

Just a week after a judge blocked Aetna’s proposed merger with Humana, the health insurer is unsure about future participation on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges. According to the AP, the company currently sells ACA coverage in 4 states, and it will decide whether or not to continue by April 1. Aetna’s chairman and CEO said the company isn’t considering entering new markets and that it only sees “bad news” in the future. April 1 is the deadline when health insurers have to decide if they will participate in the ACA exchanges the next year.

Teva Loses 4 Patents on MS Drug

A court has invalidated Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd’s 4 patents on the multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone. The drug was Teva’s top seller and generated one-fifth of the company’s sales, but the ruling may open the door to generic competition, reported Bloomberg. This is the latest in a series of bad news for the drug maker, which recently cut its 2017 profit forecast and paid $519 million in a settlement admitting to paying bribes in some countries.

Hawaii Hopes to Save Some Parts of the ACA

Even as Republicans continue to debate the best way to replace the ACA, Hawaii is planning to save parts of the law. The state is introducing bills that would merge consumer protections under the ACA into state law. Included in the bills is guaranteed coverage for preexisting conditions and mandated benefits, such as pregnancy care. Hawaii is not alone in trying to preserve what it thinks are the best parts of the ACA. Other states are considering measures to add the ACA’s contraception mandate into state law.