Blues Oversight Bill Headed to the Governor

HB 1150 also provides autism, colorectal cancer screening coverage

Legislation providing for state oversight of proposed mergers involving non-profit health insurance companies received final legislative approval today and is headed to the Governor for his signature and enactment into law, according to Senator Don White, Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.

The Senate today concurred on House amendments to House Bill 1150, a measure that will also require insurance companies to provide coverage for autism services and colorectal cancer screenings.

"Today, we completed a very long and complex process that will provide vital safeguards to protect the affordability and availability of health care insurance coverage in Pennsylvania," said Senator White, the author of the merger oversight provision in the bill. "I am gratified that we have reached an agreement on this legislation and that the Governor has indicated he will sign House Bill 1150 into law."

House Bill 1150, as previously amended by the Banking and Insurance Committee, would ensure the state has regulatory authority over the proposed merger of Highmark and Independence Blue Cross, the two largest health care insurance companies in the Commonwealth.

HB 1150 will require that any merger involving the "Blues" be subject to approval by the Department of Insurance. While the Insurance Department would determine approval or denial of a merger of non-profit health insurance companies, the bill 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. Those concerns are addressed, I believe, in House Bill 1150."

Contact:

Joe Pittman
(717) 787-8724 or cell (724) 541-0552