Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET) is the third largest diversified healthcare provider, serving over 36.5 million people in the United States.^{[1] [2]} Based in Hartford, Connecticut, Aetna sells a wide range of health and life insurance products categorized as health, dental, pharmacy, group life, disability, and long-term care. In FY2008, 93% of Aetna's revenue came from its sale of Health Care, both on a private and employer-funded basis; however as unemployment rises, Health Care and other insurance plans suffer from membership attrition, thereby reducing total revenue.^[3].

Aetna's greatest challenge has been to maintain a profitable membership in light of increasing unemployment and rumors of U.S. health care reform.^[4] However, troubles related to membership are not new and precede the 2008 crisis, with membership growth down by 65% between 2007 and 2008 despite an acquisitions campaign.^[3]

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