Lawsuits Against BCBS Over Alleged Antitrust Law Violations Advance in Federal Court

Two lawsuits alleging that Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans across the country are violating antitrust laws by conspiring to avoid competition have advanced in a federal court in Alabama. The suits allege that the BCBS insurers are working to divide the insurance markets in a way that helps them to avoid competing with one another. The plaintiffs claim that the practice drives up consumers' prices and lowers the amount providers receive for their services.

• "Antitrust Lawsuits Target Blue Cross and Blue Shield" (Wilde Mathews, Wall Street Journal, 5/27).