Under the settlement, Aetna also will pay at least $2 million in damages to California-based members who qualify.

"We hope that you see these assessments as a commitment to setting a new standard of transparency for the health care marketplace, as we believe that you and every person who engages with our health system deserves to understand how we go about our work," said CEO Steve Hemsley.

The lawsuit alleged a years-long insulin pricing scheme that artificially inflated the price of lifesaving diabetes medications and deceived consumers about those inflated prices.

The American Benefits Council, America's Health Insurance Plans and the Association of Federal Health Organizations joined ERIC in the brief.

"In the vast majority of metropolitan areas across the country, health insurers hold outsized market share -- leaving patients with fewer choices and higher costs," said Dr. John M. Whyte, CEO and executive vice president of the American Medical Association.

Health care leaders are taking a strategic approach to nursing compensation this year, a survey by the consulting firm SmithCotter found.

Eighty-five percent of workers, including those who believe AI will reduce employment at their organizations, expect AI to improve their jobs over the next two years.

The California Department of Managed Health Care has fined three health plans owned by Centene a total of $1.7 million for failing to meet reporting rate standards for timely access of appointments.