Garamendi Motion To Dismiss Anthem Lawsuit Will Be Heard as Part of Trial
A California judge has approved a request by Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi (D) to combine a hearing on a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Indianapolis-based Anthem with the trial of the case, the Indianapolis Star reports (Indianapolis Star, 9/21). The lawsuit claims that Garamendi exceeded his regulatory authority with his decision to block part of a proposed $16.5 billion merger with Thousand Oaks-based WellPoint Health Networks (California Healthline, 8/26).
As a result of the ruling, the hearing on Garamendi's motion to dismiss the case will be held Feb. 25, 2005, rather than Oct. 5.
Anthem spokesperson James Keppel said the company supported the judge's ruling. "We're focused on moving forward and resolving our case as quickly as we can," he said (Indianapolis Star, 9/21).