Bigger, yes, but better? UnitedHealth Group's planned acquisition of Sierra Health leaves some wary of a trend that could disrupt service, payment.

"Oh no. Not again." That was one CEO's reaction to UnitedHealth's deal for Sierra, Nevada's top health insurer. Recent takeovers, including the WellPoint/Anthem deal, have left bad memories. "Since then, the race downward on payments has been dramatic, so you can see why these kinds of mergers create a lot of anxiety", says Lawrence Matheis, left.

Advocates, legislators gear up for battle in the fight to keep genetic information, testing secure from employers, insurers.

A 12-year deadlock over genetic discrimination is set to be broken in Congress. Scientists and patient advocates welcome the news, but employers and insurers call the legislation premature and say it could cause administrative hassles. "It's a remedy in search of a cause", says Burton Fishman, left, an attorney for business interests. "We think it's really based on the politics of fear and anecdote, and not on reality.

Chains weigh on on access. The FAH joins the throng offering proposals to solve the uninsured crisis, but some say their plan lacks a key element.

Yet another proposal for covering the uninsured landed in the news last week, as the Federation of American Hospitals offered its plan, estimated to cost 115 dollar billion annually. While the plan drew some praise, others questioned its validity. "It's hard to take seriously a proposal that doesn't even attempt to address the fundamental issue of how all is this going to get paid for," says Susan Sherry, left.