Title

The sale of Maine's Blue Cross and Blue Shield program to Anthem Insurance of In

Authors

Meg Haskell

Source

Maine Times

Date

4-13-2000

Pages

10

Abstract

The sale of Maine's Blue Cross and Blue Shield program to Anthem Insurance of Indiana has aroused more controversy with increased publicity. Opponents of the sale are questioning the newest valuation of Blue Cross, Anthem's record of denying services in other states, and robust salary increases to Blue Cross executives despite repeated annual losses, and they are asking for more public hearings. State Bureau of Insurance Superintendent Al Iuppa could extend the deadline for public input or the Legislature might intervene, although it adjourns April 16, and the law provides for no legislative role. Rep. Joanne Twomey, D-Biddeford, spoke at Saturday's final hearing in Gardiner. She said that action had been delayed on a joint resolution she co-sponsored to assign oversight of the sale proceedings to the Banking and Insurance Committee. She said there is a general sense in the Legislature that the sale would be regretted, but that legislators felt it was too late to avert it. With details on contributions to legislators by Blue Cross.

Subjects

Anthem Insurance Cos, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine

Full text is not available here. Please contact the Library for a copy of the article.

Share

COinS