Business
business
J. Edward Moreno
12/5/24

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield cancels controversial anesthesia cap

Anthem walked back its new cap on anesthesia coverage set to go into effect in Connecticut, New York, and Missouri.

The insurer had announced on November 1 that it would change its policy to limit anesthesia coverage, which led to backlash from physicians, state governments, and consumer-advocacy groups.

The company said in a statement today that there was “significant widespread misinformation about an update to our anesthesia policy” and therefore it decided not to move forward with it. Anthem, which in 2022 rebranded as Elevance Health, said the update was “only designed to clarify the appropriateness of anesthesia consistent with well-established clinical guidelines.”

The change came after about a month of backlash, including from The American Society of Anesthesiologists, which said that the cap was “arbitrary” and “designed to take advantage of the commitment anesthesiologists make thousands of times each day to provide their patients with expert, complete, and safe anesthesia care.”

Connecticut’s comptroller, Sean Scanlon, said Thursday that his office reached out to Anthem about the policy and “is pleased to share this policy will no longer be going into effect here in Connecticut.”

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a Thursday statement that the state pushed Anthem “to reverse course and today they will be announcing a full reversal of this misguided policy.” State officials in Missouri did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The move comes the day after the Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the nation’s largest health insurer, was killed in Manhattan hours before the company’s investor day. The shooter is still at large, and though police have not determined a motive, they reported that the bullet casings had the words “delay” and “deny” inscribed on them.

Online discourse since Thompson’s death has highlighted resentment many Americans feel toward private health insurers, which stand to make higher profits when they deny medical claims.

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business
Max Knoblauch
18h

Amazon is testing adding GM electric vans to its EV delivery fleet dominated by Rivian

Rivian may have some competition in its electric delivery van division: Bloomberg reports that Amazon is testing a small number of GM’s BrightDrop vans for its fleet.

According to Amazon, the test currently only includes a dozen of the vehicles. Amazon’s fleet also contains EVs from Ford, Stellantis, and Mercedes-Benz.

GM debuted BrightDrop in 2021, but the vehicles have struggled to sell and piled up on GM lots due to high prices and steep competition. GM began offering up to 40% rebates on the vehicles this year.

The test comes as Rivian struggles through tariffs and the end of EV tax credits. Earlier this year, it lowered its annual delivery outlook by about 13%. As of June, Amazon said it has more than 25,000 Rivian vans across the US. Earlier this week, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said the company is still on track to deliver 100,000 vans to Amazon by 2030 and is “thinking about what comes beyond” that initial target.

GM has sold 1,592 BrightDrop vans through the first half of the year, more than the full-year total it sold in 2024.

Amazon Tests GM EV Delivery Vans in Bid to Meet Climate Goals

Amazon Tests GM EV Delivery Vans in Bid to Meet Climate Goals

GM debuted BrightDrop in 2021, but the vehicles have struggled to sell and piled up on GM lots due to high prices and steep competition. GM began offering up to 40% rebates on the vehicles this year.

The test comes as Rivian struggles through tariffs and the end of EV tax credits. Earlier this year, it lowered its annual delivery outlook by about 13%. As of June, Amazon said it has more than 25,000 Rivian vans across the US. Earlier this week, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said the company is still on track to deliver 100,000 vans to Amazon by 2030 and is “thinking about what comes beyond” that initial target.

GM has sold 1,592 BrightDrop vans through the first half of the year, more than the full-year total it sold in 2024.

GETTING
HOOKED
Chris Stokel-Walker22h
Claire Yubin Oh
soup season
9/12/25
Shake Shack is launching a French onion soup... burger

The fast-casual chain will be hoping premium upsells can fatten up its profit margins.

Shake Shack French onion soup burger
business
Nia Warfield
9/11/25

Paramount Skydance reportedly preparing an Ellison-backed Warner Bros. Discovery takeover bid, sending shares soaring

Paramount Skydance is preparing a majority cash bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, The Wall Street Journal reported, sending shares of both companies surging. The Journal’s sources say the deal is backed by the Ellison family, led by David Ellison.

WBD shares were up 30% on the report, while Paramount Skydance jumped 8%.

The offer would cover WBD’s entire business — cable networks, movie studios, the whole enchilada. That comes after WBD announced plans last year to split into two divisions: one for streaming and studios, the other for its traditional cable and TV assets. A recent Wells Fargo note gave WBD a price target hike, primarily because the analysts viewed it as a prime takeover candidate.

If the deal goes through, it would bring together HBO, CNN, DC Studios, and Warner Bros.’ film library with Paramount+, Nickelodeon, and MTV, all under one umbrella.

Exclusive | Paramount Skydance Prepares Ellison-Backed Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

Exclusive | Paramount Skydance Prepares Ellison-Backed Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

The offer would cover WBD’s entire business — cable networks, movie studios, the whole enchilada. That comes after WBD announced plans last year to split into two divisions: one for streaming and studios, the other for its traditional cable and TV assets. A recent Wells Fargo note gave WBD a price target hike, primarily because the analysts viewed it as a prime takeover candidate.

If the deal goes through, it would bring together HBO, CNN, DC Studios, and Warner Bros.’ film library with Paramount+, Nickelodeon, and MTV, all under one umbrella.

Max Knoblauch
9/10/25
As tariffs take root, August new vehicle prices climb by the most in more than 2 years

According to data from Cox Automotive, 17 vehicle brands raised prices of their new vehicles by more than 3% in August.

Ford Issues Recalls On Some Of Its Mach-E Mustangs And Aviators

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