Changes That Work, in conjunction with the Maine People’s Alliance and the Maine SEIU, have organized two protests against Anthem. The group is protesting Anthem’s recent rate hikes, adding 18%(reduced to 10.9% by the Maine Insurance Superintendent), then 23% rate increases on policies. The protest is being billed as, “Anthem vs. Maine: Showdown at the Courthouse.”
Image Courtesy of Mike Tipping
The Maine People’s Alliance referred to insurance companies as a “cancer on our health care system.” “It’s time to cut out the tumor,” said MPA Executive Director Jesse Graham. Graham chastised Anthem for their “ruthless profit-seeking.” According to Graham Anthem’s rate hikes have been harmful to Maine families. Anthem’s hikes have led to increased debt in families and forced some small business to close their doors said Graham. “Mainers have had it,” stated Graham. “Anthem’s greed makes us all sick.”
Over 200 people attended the protest. Protesters joined the rally for a variety of reasons. Erin Herbig of Belfast raised concerns over the impact to the state’s economy. “It effects our small businesses, young people,” said Herbig. “We want to attract them to this state. This barrier between people and health care is a serious problem.” Jamie Smith drove five hours from Caribou to Portland to attend the protest. Smith said, “We just feel very frustrated. It doesn’t seem like the politicians are really hearing the people.”
Steve Rowe made an appearance at the rally. In an email statement, Rowe recalled dealing with Anthem during his time as Attorney General.
“We need a new direction for Maine and increasing health insurance on Mainers is the wrong direction. As Attorney General I had to defend Mainers on numerous occasions from Anthem rate hikes. In these tough economic times, even after a record profit of $4.7 billion last year, Anthem still wants to make an even bigger windfall profit on the backs of Maine families and small businesses. We need to start putting Maine people ahead of corporate greed.”
Rosa Scarcelli appeared at the rally as well. Scarcelli testified against the Anthem rate hike at the February 22nd hearing. The decision from that hearing led to the current appeal by Anthem. With a bit of foresight, Scarcelli said at the time that when Anthem doesn’t get its way, “it takes its case to court and files an even larger request for a rate hike, steps that only add to our overall health care costs.”
Anna Trevorrow, Maine Green Party Chair, said many Green officeholders and activists attended the rally. “Too often in politics and in the justice system, decisions are made based on technicalities of language,” said Trevorrow. “But, the rally served to remind the court that its determination in this case is really about the sickness or health, the life or death of real people. The Green Party has always firmly supported single-payer universal healthcare. It is the only option that makes sense for people as well as employers, and ensures that the health needs of our whole community are met. The only factor that stands in the way of implementing single-payer is the stronghold of private sector profit, a model, which is by nature unsustainable.
Anthem defended their rate hikes in a written statement. Company spokesman Chris Dugan said the Maine Insurance Superindentent’s decision did not allow for a profit margin or room for risk. “As the only major carrier in the state still actively marketing individual products,” Dugan said, “we have a strong responsibility to ensure that there are adequate resources to meet the medical needs and fund medical claims of our members.” Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield controls 78% of the insurance market in Maine. A previous bill, LD 290, would have allowed Mainers to purchase out-of-state insurance. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jonathan McKane (R-Newcastle), fell to an ought not to pass vote in the House and Senate.
A hearing was scheduled for tomorrow on an appeal by Anthem over a ruling by Maine Insurance Superintendent Mila Kofman. Kofman denied Anthem’s request to raise rates by 18%, allowing an increase of 10.9%. The hearing was postponed due to a family emergency. The hearing will be held on March 24th at 9am. It has yet to be announced if there will be a protest organized for this time.
