Backroom Deals and Insurance Company “Abuses”
Chairman Miller just referred to a rate increase by Michigan Blue Cross/Blue Shield as an example of insurance company “abuses,” and the Administration’s report released last week called the carrier’s 2009 rate increases “disturbing.” Yet Section 10905(c) (page 2394 of the Senate bill) includes language exempting Michigan Blue Cross/Blue Shield from the new tax on health insurance companies. If this particular carrier’s behavior is so egregious, then why did it receive a special arrangement in a backroom deal designed to address the concerns of one Senate Democrat?