Aetna’s long-standing commitment to diversity

Aetna has a long-standing commitment to diversity. Consequently, we have made substantial investments in programs benefiting the health and wellbeing of minority communities, and have taken on a pioneering role among health plans in pursuing solutions to the problem of racial and ethnic disparities in health care.

We have long acknowledged that Aetna nearly 150 years ago wrote life insurance policies on slaves. For example, we published a book of our history in 1956, in observance of our centennial, which included examples of these policies:

1854 Slave Policy (PDF)

In March 2000 and again in April 2002, we issued a public apology and reiterated that this brief period in Aetna history in no way reflects Aetna today.

While a class action lawsuit seeking reparations for the descendents of slaves was filed in 2002 against at least 15 companies, including Aetna, a U.S. District Court dismissed the case in 2005. On Dec. 13, 2006, the U.S. Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of the reparations claim, but allowed plaintiffs to return to the trial court to pursue claims under modern state consumer protection laws. In its decision, the appeals court did not offer an opinion on the merits of the consumer protection claims, but said the claims should not have been dismissed at this juncture by the lower court.

Aetna views this as a favorable court opinion. Consumer protection statutes are intended in part to provide relief to a buyer if a company knowingly concealed or misrepresented its activities in order entice purchase. Aetna has strong legal and factual defenses to a consumer protection claim regarding its slavery insurance activities, given our longstanding acknowledgement of our history of slave policies.

Dec. 13, 2006 U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit Opinion (PDF)

Aetna today remains committed to its voluntary efforts to promote better health care for minority communities and build on its strong relationships with these important constituents. Promoting and building a culture of diversity within Aetna has long been and will continue to be an important part of our mission and values.