Rep. Matsui Statement on Anthem Announcement to Withdraw Proposed 39 Percent Rate Increase

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 30, 2010

CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163

Today, Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to the announcement that California health insurance company Anthem Blue Cross (a subsidiary of nationwide insurance giant WellPoint) will withdraw its proposed 39-percent rate increase for policyholders in the individual market:

Anthem's recent announcement that it is withdrawing its plan to hike health insurance premiums by 39 percent is a welcome sign that health insurance reform is already working in California to drive down costs for people who have health coverage. By reining in the worst practices of many of America's health insurance companies, the new health reform law is demonstrating that practices like these now-canceled rate hikes will not be tolerated.

Anthem's announcement also comes on the heels of commitments given by some of the country's largest insurance companies that they will end their policies of dropping people from coverage after they get sick, and that they will allow young Americans to stay on their parents health plans until age 26. Both of these changes are victories for people in Sacramento, and are noteworthy because they will take place before the health insurance reform legislation requires these rules to go into effect.

Health-care reform is already making a real difference in our community by helping to ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care. It is my hope that insurance companies around the country start taking critical steps forward by putting their customers patients in Sacramento and around America before their profits.