INDIANAPOLIS- A shaky financial market helped push WellPoint Inc.'s third-quarter profit down more than 5 percent, but company leaders said Wednesday tough times could create buying opportunities for the insurer.
The operator of Blue Cross and Blue Shield health plans said net income fell to $820.7 million, or $1.60 per share, compared w...
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
State Sends Horizon Conversion Bid Back to the Drawing Board
Fred Jacobs
Newslink Today
Echoing concerns raised by NJHA and a broad coalition of consumers and healthcare providers, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance has ruled that Horizon's application to convert to a for-profit corporation is incomplete and that it must provide supplemental information in response to 28 specific questions raised by the Department.
...
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Main Street to Wall Street: What's in it for New Jersey?
BY MICHAEL T. KORNETT
The Bergen Record
Horizon would be transformed into an organization with different interests and philosophies.
AS WE ENTER one of the most trying economic times in our nation's history, New Jersey's largest health insurer is seeking to convert to a publicly traded company to gain the ability to sell stock.
In mid-August, Horizon Blue Cro...
Monday, October 06, 2008
To control health-care costs
BY CHRISTY BELL
Times of Trenton
In an interesting paradox that we often see in health care, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey was attacked for fulfilling its obligation to provide access to affordable health care for its customers -- Steven Altschuler, president of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), wrote the attack in his opinion article "BCBS wants to lim...
Monday, October 06, 2008
Horizon's decision on Children's is loss for patients
Steven M. Altschuler is CEO of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey wants to become a for-profit insurance company. This requires both a healthy balance sheet and state government approval.
You will note that none of this has anything to do with the treatment of sick children.
Horizon has no good reason for its recent d...
Friday, October 03, 2008
A Bribe By Any Other Name Would Still Be...A Bribe
By Mark Cherry
Health Leaders InterStudy
If I were to offer the government a billion dollars to have lawmakers make a decision in my favor, it would be considered a bribe. When Blue plans do the same, it’s a tax write-off.
The two largest health plans in Pennsylvania - Independence Blue Cross and Highmark - want state permission to merge, and are dangling the carrot of $650 m...
Monday, September 22, 2008
Will New Jersey Blues filing prompt for-profit rush?
By Emily Berry
AMEDNews.com
If Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield succeeds in becoming investor-owned, experts say, that could unleash a wave of similar moves.
In the mid-1990s, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey was denied a chance to merge with another Blues plan as acquisitions and for-profit conversions took hold. In the early 2000s, Horizon passed on a chance to co...
Monday, September 22, 2008
Horizon's conversion plan requires full public vetting
By William J. Marino
Asbury Park Press
For more than 75 years, millions of New Jersey residents have trusted Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey for their health insurance needs.
We feel a special obligation to maintain that trust and to continue to be there when we're needed. This is one reason behind Horizon's decision to file an application for conversion ...
