James E. Maynard Jr.: BCBS needs to clean house
The reported rate increase being requested by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina to address its many self-inflicted wounds will include, according to the June 1 news article “N.C. health insurers propose ACA rate increases for 2017,” asking policyholders to pay for their technology fiasco. This is like asking the victim of an automobile accident caused by my faulty brakes to reimburse me for the repair of my brakes.
This is not only outrageous but reflective of an attitude of hubris that is unseemly at best.
The challenges of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act at BCBS did not cause its many problems, but rather revealed how unprepared it was for the new health care marketplace. Among those missing in action as all of these problems have unfolded is the board of directors.
The insurance commissioner needs to closely examine the board’s role and how demanding it has been of the overpaid management group.
It is time for new leadership, and the commissioner can perform a great service for the residents of North Carolina as he completes his evaluation, and let the chips fall where they may.
James E. Maynard Jr.
Pinehurst
This story was originally published June 30, 2016 at 3:22 PM with the headline "James E. Maynard Jr.: BCBS needs to clean house."