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Anthem-Cigna merger passes another hurdle

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The Anthem-Cigna merger has passed another hurdle. Also, America is facing a doctor shortage.

Florida insurance regulators have approved Anthem’s purchase of Cigna’s as part of a broader merger of the major health insurers. In the announcement, the office of Insurance Regulation said an analysis indicated the deal would not reduce competition in the state. The merger has come under tough scrutiny by those who think it would drive up premiums for customers and reduce health care choices.

In other business news, the U.S. could lose as many as 100,000 doctors by 2025, according to a recent Association of American Medical Colleges report. Primary-care physicians will account for as much as one-third of that shortage, meaning the doctor you likely interact with most often is also becoming much more difficult to see. Only about one in four medical-school graduates is heading into a primary-care career and experts say that’s half of what it should be.

For more business headlines watch Jane King’s full report in the video above.