WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Joe Courtney today issued the following statement after Connecticut Insurance Department recommended rejecting Anthem Blue Cross’s requested 20-percent rate hike for a targeted set of “grandfathered” health plans.

“Much like the rate increase Anthem requested and was granted in October, this request was exorbitant and unjustifiable,” said Congressman Courtney. “I have worked to ensure that the process for approving new rates is transparent and fair.  This decision shows that the public is best served when the department scrutinizes the underlying data and justifications for excessive premium increases like this. I am pleased to see that, under new leadership, the commission is achieving that goal.”

The Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law last year, included funding through the Department of Health and Human Services aimed at helping states improve transparency of premium rate increase reviews.

Connecticut was awarded $1 million from that program in August of 2010.
 

###