Lawsuit Raises Issue of States’ Ability To Cut Insurers’ Rates
Last week, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners filed a brief expressing concern over a Maine lawsuit that challenges the state's authority over health insurers' profits, arguing that a decision likely will affect how state insurance regulators can restrict rate increases. On Nov. 10, the state's Supreme Court will hear oral arguments by Anthem Health Plans of Maine, which alleges that state insurance regulators violated state law and acted unconstitutionally in requesting reduced premium increases in the past three years. In siding with Maine regulators, NAIC said that the court's decision "has the potential to destabilize a key aspect of insurance regulation and will have far-reaching effects impacting all states" if the court rules in favor of Anthem.
- "Insurer Profits at Issue in Anthem Health Plans of Maine Suit" (Appleby, Kaiser Health News/Washington Post, 10/29).