Group opposed to merger of health care companies

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Monday, July 25, 2005 | 10:53 a.m.

The American Medical Association opposes the PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. and UnitedHealth Group Inc. health-plan merger and wants federal officials to investigate the deal.

The physicians' association -- representative of about 250,000 members and a voice for physicians nationally -- said in a news release today that it sent a letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on Thursday.

The AMA said in its letter that it is disappointed that federal antitrust enforcement agencies have spent more time going after physicians' group consolidations than insurance and managed-care mergers.

Physicians' concerns related to the merger include rising premiums for consumers, physicians being excluded from provider networks, inadequate insurance reimbursements for doctors and poor relationships between physicians and UnitedHealth.