Cigna is the latest insurer to stop contributions to federal lawmakers who voted to overturn the presidential election results last week.
Cigna said in an email that its political action committee will “discontinue support of any elected official who encouraged or supported violence, or otherwise hindered a peaceful transition of power.”
Cigna’s announcement is on the heels of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which made a similar vow this week. Other insurers and healthcare organizations are either reviewing their policies for political contributions or pausing them entirely. The decisions are in response to the actions last week by lawmakers who voted to object electoral college results from the presidential election following a riot at the Capitol.
Cigna’s political action committee spent $2.5 million this election cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Of those funds, about $535,000 was given to the Democratic party and $458,000 to the Republican party.
In its statement, Cigna added it will continue to evaluate its political contributions going forward.
“There is never any justification for violence or the kind of destruction that occurred at the U.S. Capitol last week, a building that stands as a powerful symbol of the very democracy that makes our nation strong,” Cigna said.
Similarly, United Healthcare is pausing all political contributions at this time, according to a spokesman. He said United will be reviewing its federal contributions “to make sure they align with the values of the company.”
United Healthcare’s political action committee has spent about $4.5 million this election cycle. Of that, about $526,500 went to the Democratic party and $656,000 went to Republicans.
A spokesperson at Centene said it will be taking into consideration this issue before it makes any contributions.
America’s Health Insurance Plans, which represents health insurers, is now reviewing its policies for political contributions, said Matt Eyles, CEO of the association, in a statement.
“Our nation, the laws of our land, and the safety of our citizens and the political leaders who serve them, are paramount. These priorities will be front and center as we immediately review our policies governing political giving,” he said.
AHIP spent $342,000 this election cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. About $143,500 went to Democrats and $127,500 went to Republicans.
The American Medical Association’s political action committee doesn’t have any contributions planned at this time, but a spokesman said the board of the committee “carefully deliberates and considers all contribution decisions.” Discussions will occur at the regularly scheduled meeting of the AMA’s political action committee, he said.
The AMA’s political action committee spent $1.7 million this election cycle, with $533,000 going to Democrats and $397,000 to Republicans.