Anthem Insurance Uses Lobbying Clout To Raise Rates
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This story is part of an ongoing special series produced by USC Annenberg News21 in partnership with KCET's SoCal Connected. Ten new media reporters explore the intersection of Big Money and Politics from L.A. City Hall to Sacramento to Washington D.C. -- + --
Jessica Porter
Anthem Blue Cross spent $2 million lobbying the California legislature and another $1.6 million on campaign contributions between 2009 and 2010. It lobbied the Department of Managed Health Care, the Department of Insurance and the Governor's office regarding health insurance regulations.
In particular, Anthem spent a significant amount of time lobbying against SB1163, a piece of legislation that gave the state the power to review premium increases.
So what, you say? Anthem is planning to raise its premiums almost 15 percent for more than 150,000 of its members.
Read the rest of the story here on the Under The Influence blog, a partnership of USC Annenberg News21 and SoCal Connected.
