Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following remarks on two developing health care stories: news that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and many other health insurers will immediately continue dependent eligibility for young adults (those under the age of 26) until the federal mandate for such eligibility takes effect and a Reuters investigation revealing that Wellpoint was specifically targeting women with breast cancer for aggressive investigation with the intent to rescind their policies.

“Many young adults and their parents in Michigan and across the country can feel much more secure about their health care because of the actions taken by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and other health insurers to immediately continue dependent eligibility.  This action also takes tremendous pressure off families who are watching recent college graduates try to enter one of the most difficult jobs markets in our nation’s history.  Clearly, BCBSM understands the message coming from the American people and I commend the company for this positive and proactive step.  This is just one of several immediate benefits from the recently passed health care reform bill.  Other immediate benefits include an end to discrimination for pre-existing conditions of children and a closing in the gap in the Medicare prescription drug benefit.

“I am deeply disturbed by the news that Wellpoint was systemically cancelling the policies of women suffering from breast cancer.  These were women who paid their premiums and did nothing wrong – they just got sick.  This is simply unacceptable and it is another example of why we needed a dramatic reform of health insurance to put an end to such rascality.  I expect the company to act quickly to correct this problem and to stop using the algorithm that helped them target policy holders with breast cancer.  This misbehavior must stop.” 

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