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m...
Justice Dept. Sues Michigan Blue Cross Over Pricing Deals
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department alleged Monday in a lawsuit that
Michigan Blue Cross Blue Shield is discouraging competition by engaging in
practices that raise hospital prices, conduct an assistant attorney
general vowed to challenge anywhere else it is found in the United States.

The suit targets “most favored nation” clauses between Michigan Blue Cross
Blue Shield and health care providers that, according to the government,
essentially guarantee that no competing health care plan can obtain a
better rate.

Michigan Blue Cross Blue Shield has most-favored-nation clauses or similar
language in contracts with at least 70 of 131 general acute care hospitals
in the state, the government alleges.

The lawsuit said that Michigan Blue Cross Blue Shield intended to raise
hospital costs for competing health care plans and reduce competition for
the sale of health insurance.

“As a result, consumers in Michigan are paying more for their health care
services and health insurance,” Assistant Attorney General Christine
Varney, who runs the Justice Department’s antitrust division, told
reporters.

In some instances, the lawsuit states, Blue Cross has raised the prices it
pays for hospital services in exchange for obtaining most-favored-nation
clauses that raise the minimum prices hospitals can charge to Blue Cross
competitors.

The state of Michigan joined the Justice Department in the case filed in
federal court in Detroit.
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Guns Don't Kill People -- Fundamentalist Religion Kills People!

Obviously, it's Obama/Pelosi/Reid's fault. I wonder if the right wing wackos
will be blaming Boehner when he becomes Speaker.