Aetna Statement in Response to Amended Class Action Complaints -Provider Track-.Business Editors HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 27, 2001 Aetna has not received the amended complaint amended complaint n. what results when the party suing (plaintiff or petitioner) changes the complaint he/she has filed. It must be in writing, and can be done before the complaint is served on any defendant, by agreement between the parties (usually their lawyers), in the provider track cases. When we do, we will review it carefully and respond within the timeframe established by the court. As a general matter, many of these suits are similar and we continue to believe that they are without merit. We also believe that the court took an important action earlier this month in dismissing certain of the plaintiff's claims. We will continue to aggressively defend these actions, and are confident that we will prevail based on the merits on the merits adj. referring to a judgment, decision or ruling of a court based upon the facts presented in evidence and the law applied to that evidence. A judge decides a case "on the merits" when he/she bases the decision on the fundamental issues and considers , if the actions ultimately go forward. Aetna believes that litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. will neither advance the cause of improving the nation's health care system nor improve the quality of care for millions of Americans. These lawsuits, including the most recent filing, inappropriately attempt to usurp u·surp v. u·surped, u·surp·ing, u·surps v.tr. 1. To seize and hold (the power or rights of another, for example) by force and without legal authority. See Synonyms at appropriate. 2. control over this country's health policy from legislators and regulators. Aetna does not intend to let this litigation distract us from our continuing efforts to address the concerns of physicians across the country about various aspects of managed care. Aetna's constructive dialogue with various state medical societies has led to important changes in the way we do business over the past year. We have been pleased that medical society leaders have recognized our progress. For example, changes that provide California physicians with greater flexibility in caring for their Aetna patients prompted California Medical Association (CMA CMA - Concert Multithread Architecture from DEC. ) CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. Jack Lewin to comment last December that Aetna and the CMA "have created a path for a better future." After announcing similar changes in New Jersey, Walter Kahn, president of the Medical Society of New Jersey said, "we are experiencing a significant change in Aetna's approach to physicians in New Jersey. The company is clearly trying to satisfy our concerns about contractual, administrative and communication issues." Based on press reports regarding the amended complaint, it appears that the California Medical Association and the Texas Medical Society are not asserting as·sert tr.v. as·sert·ed, as·sert·ing, as·serts 1. To state or express positively; affirm: asserted his innocence. 2. To defend or maintain (one's rights, for example). claims against Aetna. Aetna will continue to respond constructively to the concerns of these medical societies and others willing to engage with us in constructive dialogue. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion