Giant health insurance company Anthem is appealing a federal judge’s February ruling that blocked its proposed acquisition of fellow health insurer Cigna, arguing that the merger would result in $2.4 billion in “efficiencies” that would benefit consumers. But in an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, the AMA Litigation Center strongly disputed that argument and urged a three-judge panel to uphold the lower court’s ruling to protect patients and physicians.

My latest in AMA Wire. Read the whole shebang.