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Sen. White Calls for "Blues" Merger to be Center Stage This Fall
"...this merger would create a single, multi-billion dollar, mega-entity which could crush what little competition remains in Pennsylvania's health care insurance market by creating a near monopoly environment." -Senator Donald White (R-Indiana, Armstrong)
State Sen. Don White (R-Indiana, Armstrong), has been been an advocate for increased state oversight of the proposed merger between Highmark and Independence Blue Cross. In a column to newspapers statewide this week, Sen. White called on his colleagues in the General Assembly and the Governor to make the Blues Merger a priority on this fall's legislative agenda.
Sen. White said, "I don't think we are being alarmists when we raise concerns that this merger would create a single, multi-billion dollar, mega-entity, which could crush what little competition remains in Pennsylvania's health care insurance market by creating a near monopoly environment. There should be real concerns that costs will skyrocket, quality of care will decrease and the workforce will be stuck with the bill. If there is only one option for consumers to consider, and only one entity to reimburse doctors and hospitals for services, increased costs and decreased quality are real possibilities."
Legislation promoted by Sen. White would:
- Create a Public Interest Review Board comprised of representatives from the Auditor General's Office, the Governor's Administration, the General Assembly and policyholders or providers of the "Blues." This board would provide information on the impact of the merger and make recommendations to the Department of Insurance.
- Require the Blues to make a public annual report of all spending on social mission, advertising and community initiatives.
- Require assurances that the merger will result inn sustained benefits for policyholders.