Can Aetna GC Break the Merger Mania Losing Streak?

It’s not easy to get a big merger done these days: deals between Staples and Office Depot, Halliburton and Baker Hughes, and Pfizer and Allergan have all been called off in recent months, citing regulatory hurdles.

On Wednesday, Missouri became the first state to slap down health insurance provider Aetna’s proposed $33 billion deal with Humana. The companies have 30 days to convince state regulators to change their minds. In addition to state authorities, the Department of Justice and federal antitrust regulators are also reviewing the purchase, first announced last year.

One good thing for Aetna: the company’s GC has been there, ...