DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Blue Shield of California seeks rate hikes of as much as 59% for individuals

**cucceevevaind** · 01-07-2011, 03:26 AM

San Diego Union-Tribune: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2...e-shield-rate/

Drastic rate hike proposals in California last year served as national fodder for federal lawmakers promoting the Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law last March. Anthem Blue Cross initially proposed a 39 percent increase last spring, with other insurers suggesting similar rates.

The companies ultimately settled on average rates ranging between 14 and 18 percent.

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said the situation underscored why, as an Assemblyman, he had pushed for six years to give the state insurance commissioner the power to regulate insurance rates and reject those deemed excessive. Last year, Jones co-sponsored a bill with that language that was voted down by the Legislature on the last day of the session.

...

The Blue Shield controversy prompted U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sibelius to weigh in, issuing a statement that she has contacted Jones to offer assistance if needed.

“The people of California have a right to be concerned when they see this kind of rate increase month after month,” she said.
Sibelius said the federal Affordable Care Act — which Republicans in the House of Representatives have vowed to repeal next week — is aimed at protecting consumers from such rate hikes.

01-07-2011, 03:26 AM	#3
cucceevevaind Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 652 Senior Member	San Diego Union-Tribune: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2...e-shield-rate/ Drastic rate hike proposals in California last year served as national fodder for federal lawmakers promoting the Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law last March. Anthem Blue Cross initially proposed a 39 percent increase last spring, with other insurers suggesting similar rates. The companies ultimately settled on average rates ranging between 14 and 18 percent. California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said the situation underscored why, as an Assemblyman, he had pushed for six years to give the state insurance commissioner the power to regulate insurance rates and reject those deemed excessive. Last year, Jones co-sponsored a bill with that language that was voted down by the Legislature on the last day of the session. ... The Blue Shield controversy prompted U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sibelius to weigh in, issuing a statement that she has contacted Jones to offer assistance if needed. “The people of California have a right to be concerned when they see this kind of rate increase month after month,” she said. Sibelius said the federal Affordable Care Act — which Republicans in the House of Representatives have vowed to repeal next week — is aimed at protecting consumers from such rate hikes.
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