Florida Blue To Get Reorganization Hearing Despite Conflict Worries
Florida Blue -- which covers 4 million in that state -- will get a hearing about its proposed reorganization despite conflict-of-interest concerns from some.
The Associated Press: Fla. Blue's Proposed Restructure To Get Hearing
Health insurance giant Florida Blue, one of the state's largest employers and political donors, wants to restructure itself, but critics warn the move could create a conflict between turning a profit and the obligation to provide low-cost insurance to its 4 million policy holders (Kennedy, 7/25).
Health News Florida: State Reviews Florida Blue Plan As Watchdogs Question How Law Changed
A proposed reorganization of the state's largest health insurer comes before a state insurance hearing Thursday in Miami, but a watchdog group says it is disappointed by the handling of legislation Gov. Rick Scott signed June 7 that Florida Blue sought to help it expand after the change (Elmore and Singer, 7/25).
In the meantime, Georgia officials plan to change a bid process for a state employees health benefits contract after UnitedHealthcare protested one contract award -
Georgia Health News: United Protests State's Contract Award To Blue Cross
UnitedHealthcare has launched a protest of the apparent award of the state employees health benefits contract to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, according to an AJC report Thursday. The AJC article says that United has alleged that the Department of Community Health held a secret bid that kept the Minnesota-based company from competing for the business (Miller, 7/25).
Georgia Health News: Bid Process To Change For One Benefits Contract
The Georgia agency overseeing the state employees health plan said Thursday that it will change the procedure for one of two contracts connected with the plan. A Department of Community Health statement, from new Commissioner Clyde Reese, said a review found that a project for the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) to obtain a "regional vendor," begun in May, was "not properly inclusive" (Miller, 7/25).
