Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Blue Cross of NC is the main backer of a bill to create the health insurance exchange in North Carolina that will help implement the national health reform law. The intent of an independent exchange is to give more people access to insurance coverage, boost competition and lower premium costs, somewhat akin to Travelocity for air fares. But the bill gives Blue Cross and its medical industry allies unusual control over the exchange and an elaborate new process for expanding the insurance marketplace. Something smells funny. So Democracy North Carolina took the advice of “follow the money” and – ouch! – it turns out the bill’s chief sponsors are the top two recipients of Blue Cross PAC money in the General Assembly. Explore the questionable ethics of this legislation in our new report and visit the website of Citizens for Responsible Health Care to learn more.