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Oregon Regulators Stand Up to Insurers

It's a great day for consumers and small businesses, said State Sen. Chip Shields

February 16, 2010 -- Despite heated objections by health insurance companies, state regulators at the Oregon Insurance Division finalized rules on Tuesday (Feb. 16) making every part of their rate filing open to the public. Read More >>

Small Businesses Face Brunt of Insurance Hikes

State regulators approve rate requests for Regence and HealthNet, while other requests are pending

February 11, 2010 -- The Oregon Insurance Division approved a 16 percent rate increase on Regence individual health plans renewing after April and a 12.2 percent increase on HealthNet small group plans. Read More >>

Insurers Ready Another Round of Double-Digit Hikes

State actuaries say medical costs went up 12 to 13 percent last year

February 4, 2010 -- Regence BlueCross BlueShield is asking the Insurance Division to approve a 25.3 percent average premium increase on more than 73,000 individuals whose policies renew starting April 1. Read More >>

Insurers, Consumers Battle Over Public Disclosure

Under the proposed rule, financial information considered confidential by insurance companies would be made public when they request a rate increase

February 4, 2010 -- A tug of war is under way between health insurers and consumer advocates over disclosure, and the decision rests in the hands of Oregon’s Insurance Division. Read More >>

Regence Gave $70,000 to Defeat Ballot Measures 66 and 67

In doing so, Regence became the only health insurer in Oregon that contributed to the 'no' campaign

January 28, 2010 -- The victory celebrated by proponents of Ballot Measures 66 and 67, which will raise taxes on corporations and wealthy Oregonians, no doubt left one health insurer booing from the sidelines. Read More >>

Regence Tells Brokers to Oppose Premium Tax in Health Reform Bill

The $6.7 billion tax to cover the uninsured will supposedly be passed onto consumers

December 18, 2009 -- In an email to brokers and agents, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon tells them to urge their elected representatives to vote against the healthcare reform bill in Congress because it's estimated to raise premiums on those who have insurance. Read More >>

Aetna to Increase Profits by Dropping Members

Through premium increases, Aetna realizes it will lose 600,000 members, but that's okay

December 16, 2009 -- Back when it was the largest private health plan in the country, Aetna downsized its membership by millions but boosted profits during an overhaul of its business several years ago. Read More >>

Investments Buoy Oregon Health Insurer Profits

Will gains transfer to lower premiums? Not yet anyway

December 10, 2009 -- Oregon insurers continued reaping the rewards of a positive stock market through much of this year, based on the latest available financial statements filed with the state. Read More >>

An Insurance Bureaucrat Speaks Out

Dr. Don Thieman’s been inside the health insurance industry and he’s not remaining silent

December 3, 2009 -- A former medical director at Regence Bluecross Blueshield of Oregon says people have nothing to fear. By and large those in government have our interests at heart much more than people in the insurance industry. Read More >>

Regulators Offer Little Backstop for Premium Hikes

High paid executives and skyrocketing premiums from coast to coast

November 19, 2009 -- New information from a Senate investigation reveals CIGNA, one of the country's largest health insurers, failed to account for $5 billion in premium revenue reported to state regulators. Read More >>

Our Mission

The Lund Report keeps its radar focused on Oregon’s healthcare industry. Our goal is to empower consumers. We believe an informed public can create a more accountable and transparent system.

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