To the Editor:

Recently it was announced that Aetna-Humana and Anthem-Cigna are planning to merge, which would severely limit the choices residents of the Commonwealth have when picking their healthcare provider. In addition, we would likely see substantial premium increases. It goes against common sense to reduce competition in the market and allow the costs to hardworking families to go up.

The State Corporation Commission, whose job is to ensure that mergers are in the public interest, needs to involve the citizens who would be affected. It’s crucial that the people across Virginia have the chance to participate in public hearings on these mergers.

All of us here in Virginia need to hold these companies accountable. I have no reason to believe the commission won’t do its job, but my family and neighbors should have a chance to let our policymakers know what the public interest really is.

Kim Smith

Fairfax