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For Immediate
Release
9/18/08
Committee Sets Hearings on Merger
Recommendations
New law empowers panel to comment on
Highmark/IBC proposal
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee will hold two public hearings in
the upcoming weeks to take testimony prior to developing its recommendations on
the proposed merger of Highmark Inc. and Independence Blue Cross, according to
Committee Chairman Senator Don White (R-41).
The hearings are set for Tuesday, September 23 and Tuesday, October
7. Both sessions will start at 10 a.m. in Hearing Room 1 of the
State Capitol North Office Building.
Act 62 of 2008 requires that any merger involving the “Blues” be subject to
approval by the Department of Insurance. The new law also empowers the Senate
Banking and Insurance Committee and the House Insurance Committee to receive and
review all filings submitted to the Department and to develop written comments
and recommendations on the merger filings.
“Anyone who has followed the proceedings of the Banking and Insurance
Committee is well aware of our concerns about ensuring that this merger be
thoroughly and extensively monitored by the appropriate state governmental
entities to protect the rights of health care practitioners and the people of
Pennsylvania who rely on those services,” Senator White said. “We have a basic
responsibility to ensure that any such merger not result in a monopolized market
that degrades the accessibility and affordability of health care in
Pennsylvania.”
The hearings are open to the public and the media is cordially invited to
attend the proceedings.
Contact:
Noel Burch
(717) 787-8724
Additional Information:
Health Care
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