Aetna Offers Weaker-Than-Expected Earnings Forecast For The Year Ahead
The insurer has noted increasing membership and revenue in recent quarters, though medical costs also have gone up.
The Wall Street Journal:
Aetna Offers Disappointing Earnings View For Next Year
Aetna Inc. on Wednesday issued a weaker-than-expected profit forecast for next year, a day ahead of an investor conference. The Hartford, Conn., insurer said it expects to make at least $6.90 a share on revenue of at least $62 billion in 2015, compared with estimates of $7.17 a share on $61.7 billion in revenue, according to Thomson Reuters. (Armental, 12/10)
Meanwhile, Philadelphia's transit agency has filed a lawsuit against Gilead that represents the latest drug-pricing dust-up between health care payers and pharmaceutical companies -
The Wall Street Journal:
Gilead Faces Suit Over Hepatitis Drug’s Price
Philadelphia’s transit agency has sued Gilead Sciences Inc., accusing the company of “price-gouging” on the sale of its $1,000-per-pill hepatitis C drug Sovaldi, the latest salvo in a battle between health-care payers and the pharmaceutical industry over prices. (Loftus, 12/10)