Health Care: Speculation of PacifiCare sale boosted stock

Rumors of PacifiCare Health Systems’ impending sale to CIGNA Corp. appear to have cooled. On Sept. 15, PacifiCare’s stock jumped 10 percent, to $77 a share in trading of 1.9 million shares, following a report that the company was targeted for acquisition.

Company officials at the company’s Denver headquarters would neither confirm nor deny the report, and PacifiCare’s stock prices have since edged down to $75 1/8.

PacifiCare is Colorado’s largest health plan. The Santa Clara, Calif.-based company has more than 350,000 members statewide and more than 18,000 members in Northern Colorado.

Western Plains hires director

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