Are Some Insurance Companies 'seeing the light'?

Recent news from MoveOn.org suggests some big insurance companies may be 'seeing the light'.  Evidently Anthem Blue Cross has backed away from a premium increase of as much as 39 percent for some customers.


Dear MoveOn member,


Great news! Last week, Anthem Blue Cross backed off on a plan to raise some customers' insurance premiums by as much as 39 percent.1

Their plan to jack up rates caused a public backlash earlier this year, including a petition signed by you and 310,000 other MoveOn members, a congressional investigation, and a call from the Obama administration for Anthem to explain themselves.2

And on Thursday, the outcry paid off. Anthem, citing "miscalculations," said they're withdrawing the rate increase.


Congratulations! Your voice on this petition, along with so many others nationwide, helped stop Big Insurance from gouging customers in California—and more importantly, sent a message to other insurance companies that this sort of abuse will not be tolerated. Even with the historic passage of health care reform, it's crucial we make that clear to prevent future attempts to gouge consumers.

Thanks for adding your voice to this effort, and for all you do.

–Kat, Michael, Matt, Jodeen, and the rest of the team



Sources:

1. "Anthem Blue Cross withdraws planned CA rate hike," The Associated Press, April 29, 2010

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=88136&id=20106-17185445-lOvJK8x&t=1


2. "Sebelius Calls on Anthem Blue Cross to Publicly Justify 39 Percent Premium Increase," U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, February 8, 2010

http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/02/20100208c.html


"Congress opens probe into Anthem Blue Cross rate increases," Los Angeles Times, February 10, 2010

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86434&id=20106-17185445-lOvJK8x&t=2


"Waxman and Stupak to WellPoint: We Request Your Testimony," Office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, February 9, 2010

http://www.speaker.gov/blog/?p=2149


Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Go to: http://www.moveon.org.