Blue Cross Backs Off, But Only A Bit

As pointed out in Marc Lifsher in the Los Angeles Times, the only real authority the Commissioner has is on an related issue, which is whether Anthem Blue Cross was abiding by a 70% "medical loss ratio" requirement--whether 70% of premium dollars were going to patient care, rather than administration and profit. (That requirement was increased from 50% to 70% by former Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi in his last year before becoming Lt. Governor. Federal health reform would increase that requirement to around 85%.)