February 2, 2009

    LANSING - Attorney General Mike Cox today announced that he filed an appeal of two Ingham County Circuit Court orders in his suit against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. 

    Cox originally filed the suit in July 2008, alleging that Blue Cross illegally purchased several for-profit companies and improperly transferred $125 million to its subsidiary, the Accident Fund, to purchase one of the companies.  Although Judge Paula Manderfield ruled in October 2008 that the Attorney General's complaint regarding the illegal purchases had merit, Manderfield reversed herself last month when she dismissed the complaint.  Manderfield had earlier transferred the other complaint regarding the improper transfer of funds to the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation for review.  Cox is appealing both decisions to the Michigan Court of Appeals.

    "It is one of my responsibilities as Attorney General to fight for access to affordable health care for Michigan residents while ensuring that Blue Cross follows the law," said Cox.  "Because Blue Cross' activities are improper and contributing to higher insurance rates for Michigan citizens, I must appeal these decisions."

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