May 26, 2007
Blue Cross group takes issue with governor's plans
Victoria Colliver
San Francisco Chronicle
Blue Cross of California, the state's largest health insurer, has begun a media campaign to sway public opinion against certain health care reforms proposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and other lawmakers.
The Coalition for Responsible Healthcare Reform, the insurer's political committee, started running advertisements this week in the Sacramento Bee and will air radio ads next week as part of an initial $2 million outreach campaign. The ads warn these reforms could have "unintended consequences," like those associated with energy deregulation.
"We're very supportive of health care reform efforts," said Ann-Louise Kuhns, a vice president of Blue Cross of California. "We just need to fix what's broken and not break what's working."
With its new group, Blue Cross has set itself apart from other insurers, health organizations and business leaders that have also joined coalitions centered on influencing the reform efforts. Thus far, Blue Cross is the only member of its coalition.
Blue Shield of California spokesman Tom Epstein said the insurer would not consider joining Blue Cross' group.
"We want to see comprehensive reform," he said. "Their (Blue Cross') coalition is the coalition of the unwilling and we're part of the coalition of the willing."
