Aug 1, 2018

Carl Icahn wants to block Cigna-Express Scripts merger

Carl Icahn. Photo by: Adam Jeffery/CNBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images.

Activist investor Carl Icahn is seeking to block the $67 billion merger between health insurer Cigna and pharmacy benefit giant Express Scripts, according to The Wall Street Journal.

  • Icahn has not previously disclosed a stake in either company, but now apparently has taken a "sizable" position in Cigna (although it's still below 5%).

Our thought bubble: Some analysts were scratching their heads over the deal, which was viewed as a rushed attempt to copy UnitedHealth Group — and generally questionable given that Express Scripts would lose its most lucrative client in Anthem. Icahn's stake, plus the pending federal antitrust reviews, really do put this deal in jeopardy.

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Axios
Updated 19 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 7 a.m. ET: 32,870,631 — Total deaths: 994,534 — Total recoveries: 22,749,163— Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 7 a.m. ET: 7,079,689 — Total deaths: 204,499 — Total recoveries: 2,750,459 — Total tests: 100,492,536 — Map.
  3. States: New York daily cases top 1,000 for first time since June — U.S. reports over 55,000 new coronavirus cases.
  4. Health: The long-term pain of the mental health pandemic — Fewer than 10% of Americans have coronavirus antibodies.
  5. Business: Millions start new businesses in time of coronavirus.
  6. Education: Summer college enrollment offers a glimpse of COVID-19's effect.
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Stef W. Kight, Sam Baker
28 mins ago - Politics & Policy

How the Supreme Court could decide the election

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

The Supreme Court isn't just one of the most pressing issues in the presidential race — the justices may also have to decide parts of the election itself.

Why it matters: Important election-related lawsuits are already making their way to the court. And close results in swing states, with disputes over absentee ballots, set up the potential for another Bush v. Gore scenario, election experts say.

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Axios
7 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Graham hopes his panel will approve Amy Coney Barrett by late October

Sen. Lindsey Graham during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Sept. 24, 2020 in Washington, DC. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told Fox News Saturday he expects confirmation hearings on Judge Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the Supreme Court to start Oct. 12 and for his panel to approve her by Oct. 26.

Why it matters: That would mean the final confirmation vote could take place on the Senate floor before the Nov. 3 presidential election.

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