December 9th, 2008
Often one of the last industries to see a downturn in times of a recession, the healthcare business has been suffering lately. An exception, however, is Highmark Inc.; the large health insurer based in Pittsburgh.
December 1st, 2008
In an editorial published today, the Times-Tribune outlines their view that Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario has been provided with abundant evidence that he should reject the proposed Blues merger.
Then, after hearings, the state Senate Banking and Insurance Committee recommended, by a 10-4 vote, that the department reject the merger. That committee’s House counterpart also conducted hearings, but it chose to allow members to make individual recommendations rather than to take a committee vote.
As noted by the commissioned report and the Senate committee, the proposed merger would create the seventh-largest insurance company in the United States. It would have more market share in its home state, 70 percent of the commercial market and 53 percent of the overall market, than any other U.S. insurer. The spread between its market share and that of its next-largest competitor also would be the biggest in the country, in that the next-biggest insurer, UPMC, has just 6.5 percent of the market.”
Visit the Times-Tribune to read the entire editorial.
November 25th, 2008
The Senate GOP is keeping up with the times by posting a podcast of Sen. White’s comments against the Blues merger.
November 24th, 2008
An article in Sunday’s Tribune-Review features comments from those around the state who are urging Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario to disapprove the proposed merger between insurance companies Highmark, Inc. and Independence Blue Cross.
November 20th, 2008
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee is scheduled to meet today at 12:30 to consider recommendations on the proposed merger between Highmark, Inc., and Independence Blue Cross. The meeting is scheduled in Hearing Room 1 of the North Office Building.
November 19th, 2008
A govt’ watchdog group believes that Sen. Mellow’s board position with the Blue Cross of Northeastern Pa is a conflict because Mellow sits on the Senate’s Banking and Insurance Committee. That committee is making recomendations on the proposed merger between Independence Blue Cross and Highmark Inc. later this month.
November 19th, 2008
Today the Philadelphia Inquirer editorializes on the proposed Blues merger, on which Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario will soon make a decision.
November 12th, 2008
The state House Insurance Committee will meet today today to discuss the proposed merger between Pennsylvania’s largest health insurance companies; Highmark Inc. and Independence Blue Cross. PCN TV will be airing the meeting live.
October 8th, 2008
The CEOs of Independence Blue Cross and Highmark Inc. testified yesterday at a public hearing about the potential merger of the two health insurance companies.
September 25th, 2008
Today’s Philadelphia Inquirer features an op-ed by Tom Knox, a former Democratic candidate for mayor of Philadelphia, former CEO of UnitedHealthcare Pennsylvania, and planned candidate for governor of PA.