Trending News Today: CVS-Aetna Merger Could Change Healthcare

Last week, Colorado notified families that their children may lose coverage under the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) since Congress has yet to pass a reauthorization bill, according to Kaiser Health News. Funding for CHIP ran out in September, and now 9 million children covered under the program may be without insurance. While some children might be able to enroll in Medicaid or be added to an Affordable Care Act plan, options vary and may be costly for lower-income families, according to Kaiser.

CVS has agreed to buy Aetna for $69 billion, a deal that has the potential to change the healthcare industry, according to The New York Times. This deal shows how healthcare companies are trying to be more appealing to consumers and investors by expanding their offerings. The Times said that the CVS-Aetna deal could offer employers “one-stop shopping for health insurance for their workers.” Under the deal, Aetna could also provide direct care to patients through CVS pharmacies.

The FDA recently approved a test that searches for mutations in cancer-causing genes, which can provide a complete picture of the causes of a patient’s cancer, according to The New York Times. The first-of-its-kind test could also help patients receive a more targeted treatment. Additionally, the Times reported that the approval will make tumor-gene profiling more accessible to a greater number of patients, which may lead to more insurers covering the test.