Healthcare Biz Recap: FTC Greenlights Johnson & Johnson, United Health and Obamacare

Apparently, enough is enough, as Roche (RHHBY.PK) CEO Severin Schwan announced on Sunday that his firm has no intentions of another takeover attempt of Illumina (NASDAQ:ILMN), but will instead go for smaller acquisitions. In addition, the company will stake an unknown amount in its own gene sequencing research.

Don’t Miss: Here’s Why the Facebook RACE May Be FUTILE for Investors.

UnitedHealth (NYSE:UNH) optimistically initiates several benefits required by the Affordable Healthcare Act (‘Obamacare’), and says that it will continue this even if even the entire law is voided by the Supreme Court. The explanation of the policy is that it isn’t all that expensive after all, and benefits to customers could help keep shares up. For example, the Act mandates that insurees may keep their children on their health plans until the reach the age of 26 (although there will still be no coverage for those with pre-existing conditions). At the same time, Citigroup raises HCA Holdings (NYSE:HCA) plus the shares of six other hospital groups to Buy, before the Court rules this month of the Constitutionality of the Act and its mandate. The analyst sees shares gaining in a possible two to three scenarios, even though forecasts call for decreases of between 5 and 10 percent should the entire law be struck down.

The FTC okays Johnson & Johnson’s (NYSE:JNJ) proposed purchase of Swiss medical device maker Synthes, even though more than a year has passed since the acquisition was first announced. The former won the approval through a promise to market a product that will be used to treat serious wrist fractures and other assets to Biomet. The European Commission approved the acquisition in April subsequent of a promise by J&J to divest its trauma operations in the area.

Don’t Miss: Will J&J Strike Sweet Success With This New Drug?

Want news like this in real-time so you can get an edge? Click here for Wall St. Cheat Sheet Pro.