PROVIDENCE – U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon has called for testimony from witnesses who object to the Justice Department’s decision to approve CVS Health Corp.’s acquisition of Aetna Inc., the Wall Street Journal reported last week.
The $70 billion acquisition is required to be approved by a federal judge under the Tunney Act. Judges do not typically call witnesses in merger cases.
Despite not having the final approval from the federal judge, the companies have declared the acquisition complete.
Leon said that he expects the hearings would take place in May and also expects them to last roughly one week. Leon has previously considered blocking the merger.
CVS and Aetna previously agreed to keep certain operations separate until the approval of the deal.
