DeLauro Praises Rejection of Health Insurance Rate Hike

Washington, DC— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) issued the following statement today in reaction to the decision of the Connecticut Insurance Department to deny Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield's request for a 20 percent rate increase on health insurance premiums. The increase, which would have impacted 48,000 Connecticut residents, was determined to be excessive.

Congresswoman DeLauro, along with the rest of the Connecticut House delegation, sent a letter to then-Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Thomas in June and September calling for an investigation into Anthem's proposed rate increases. The Connecticut Insurance Commission was awarded a $1 million Premium Rate Review Grant to enforce consumer protections in the Affordable Care Act and to make sure that insurance rate increases are justified.

"This decision is a real victory for consumers, and I applaud the Connecticut Insurance Department for standing up to these unfair and unjustified rates increases. Anthem has shown little regard for consumers in Connecticut and around the country, as they and other insurance companies rush to pass premium increases before the Affordable Care Act prevents such unwarranted hikes. In this interim period, we must remain vigilant in protecting American consumers from being taken advantage of, and I am proud that Connecticut's Insurance Department is leading this fight."