As debate continues over repealing the Affordable Care Act, Steve Scalise, the Republican House Whip, is set to be the beneficiary of a D.C. high dollar insurance industry fundraiser. The Center for Media and Democracy obtained a copy of the invitation to this event.
The “private dinner” to benefit the Scalise Leadership PAC, is taking place on January 24, 2017, at the upmarket Joe’s Stone Crab in Washington D.C. The restaurant boasts that it is “just steps from the White House.”
The event is to be hosted by Aflac PAC and Cigna PAC, as well as insurance industry trade groups AHIP PAC (America’s Health Insurance Plans) and NAIFA PAC (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors).
The fundraiser takes place the day after the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled to block the $37 billion merger between Aetna and Humana. The Hill reported that the ruling is seen as a victory for consumer advocates which it said “had opposed the merger as reducing competition and choices for consumers.” Aetna is likely to appeal the decision.
Another proposed giant insurance industry merger, between Anthem and Cigna, is still pending in the court. Challenges to the two mergers had been brought by the U.S. Justice Department. It is not yet clear what effect the incoming administration of President Trump might have on the proposed mergers.