Insurance - Press Release - Blue Cross/Anthem

December 14, 1999

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Eric , Deputy Superintendent
Tel: (207) 624-8426

PRESS RELEASE

Maine Superintendent of Insurance Announces Statewide Comment Sessions for Proposed Blue Cross/Anthem Conversion and Acquisition

Augusta, Maine: Superintendent of Insurance Alessandro A. Iuppa announced the schedule for several statewide public hearings to public comment concerning the proposed conversion of Blue Cross and Shield from a non-profit entity and its subsequent proposed acquisition Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The following is the schedule of times locations for the hearings:

PUBLIC COMMENT SCHEDULE
Date	Time	Location
January 24, 2000	4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.	In Presque Isle at the University Maine at Presque Isle - Wieden Auditorium.
January 25, 2000	1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.	In Orono at the University Maine at Orono - Wells Conference Center.
January 26, 2000	5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.	In Gardiner, 124 Northern Ave. at the offices of the Bureau of Insurance - Central Conference Room.
January 27, 2000	1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.	In Lewiston at the Ramada Inn, 490 Pleasant Street - The Ritz Room.
January 28, 2000	1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.	In Portland at the University of Southern Maine - Room 113, Masterton Hall.

Members of the public are encouraged to provide testimony at the public . Persons who speak during the public comment session of the hearing may either make an unsworn statement or may testify under oath. Members of the public who testify under oath are subject to cross-examination by the parties to the hearing. Members of the public may also speak without being sworn in. Only comments presented under oath may be used as evidence by the Superintendent of Insurance to make his final decision concerning the proposed transaction.

After the public comment hearings are over, the proceeding will continue with both Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Anthem presenting witnesses at a hearing scheduled on April 3, 2000 at 9:00 A.M. in the Central Conference Room at the offices of the Bureau of Insurance, 124 Northern Avenue, Gardiner Maine. If the Superintendent determines it is necessary, additional hearing days will be scheduled. Although there will be no public comment session at the April 3^rd hearing, members of the public are invited to attend.

Formal documents such as the Procedural Order, which outlines the requirements of the hearing process, and other general consumer information concerning the proposed transaction can be found on the Bureau of Insurance Website at MaineInsuranceReg.Org.

The Bureau of Insurance is part of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation which encourages sound ethical business practices through high quality, impartial and efficient regulation of insurers, financial institutions, creditors, investment providers, and numerous professions and occupations for the purpose of protecting the citizens of Maine.

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