Fact finding hearing held to determine impact of federal health care law on Georgia consumers

Atlanta (June 10, 2010) – Insurance Commissioner John W. Oxendine conducted a hearing today into the impact of the recently enacted federal health care law on Georgia consumers. Seven health insurance company presidents were subpoenaed to appear.

The purpose of the hearing was to gather information to determine the real impact that the federal health care law will have on the availability and affordability of health coverage. Specific questions were asked as to the impact of this law on Georgia consumers’ rates and their access to health insurance.

“President Obama said that insurance rates would go down if the bill passed,” Oxendine said. “I remain unconvinced of this assertion. A lot of promises were made by politicians in Washington, D.C. as they rushed to get this bill passed. My goal was to get to the bottom of how this law will impact Georgia citizens.”

“There is a great deal of uncertainty about many aspects of this law,” the Commissioner said. “One thing that I am convinced of, however, is that the federal law will cause premiums to rise because it does nothing to address the underlying cost of health care. I am concerned about its ultimate impact on individuals, small businesses, and medical providers in our state.”

Commissioner Oxendine held the hearing this morning in this office. The companies subpoenaed and in attendance were Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Coventry, Humana, Kaiser and United Healthcare. 

Georgia consumers who have questions about the hearing may call the Department’s Consumer Services Division at 1-800-656-2298, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.