28.03.2024

Anthem CEO Joseph Swedish to step down, Gail Boudreaux to succeed: WSJ

Swedish, who has served about four years at Anthem, was behind the insurer’s $54 billion merger proposal with smaller rival Cigna Corp (CI.N), which was ultimately called off due to regulatory issues.

U.S. health insurer Anthem Inc’s (ANTM.N) Chief Executive Joseph Swedish will step down and be succeeded by industry veteran Gail Boudreaux, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

It is unclear how quickly the transition will occur, but the plan is expected to be announced as soon as next week, the publication reported. (on.wsj.com/2haxzSO)

Anthem was not immediately available for comment.

Gail Boudreaux is well-known among managed-care investors and has served as CEO of United Healthcare, a unit of the largest U.S. health insurer UnitedHealth Group Inc (UNH.N).

The deal would have created the largest U.S. health insurer by membership.

Through Friday, Anthem shares had climbed about 47 percent this year to $211.80, compared with UnitedHealth’s 33 percent rise to $212.87.

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