Friday, October 30, 2009
BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) recently sent out a mailer to premium holders asking them to tell U.S. Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) to oppose the adoption of health care reform that includes a public option program. Such a move would likely create competition for private insurance companies like BCBSNC, which told its customers a government-run plan would lead down a “slippery slope” no one wants.
The plea came on the heels of an announcement that BCBSNC would raise insurance rates an average of 11% next year.
Instead of getting customers on its side, BCBSNC is now dealing with an angry backlash. Many customers have emailed Hagan—to tell her they support the public option.
“I hope it backfires,” BCBSNC customer Mark Barroso told the Charlotte News-Observer. “I’m doing everything I can to make sure it does.”
Another North Carolina resident, Beth Silberman, said she “went sort of bonkers” after receiving the news of the rate increase and the mailer. “You’re hostage to them, and then they pull this. My new premiums are funding lobbying against competition. It’s pretty disgusting.”
-Noel Brinkerhoff
BCBS Plea to Customers on Reform Hits a Nerve (by Sarah Avery, Charlotte News Observer)
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