I would be the first person to agree that the issue of controlling health care costs is an extremely complicated one. Furthermore, it is well documented that health care economics is a very strange science that rejects the normal laws of supply and demand. In health care, unlike the rest of the economy, supply creates demand, which makes it vital that we address the need to eliminate the more than 4,000 excess inpatient beds that are strangling us financially.

But whatever your particular focus, a community’s health care system must be evaluated on the criterion of whether it delivers quality care to its citizens at an effective cost. There is an overwhelming body of evidence to suggest that the delivery and financing of health care in [this state] does not meet that test today, despite the presence of some of the country’s top teaching hospitals and respected professionals.

I would like to make one thing very clear at the outset: We are here today to paint a clear portrait of a Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plan that administers its health care coverage programs conscientiously. Making certain that the [people] who place their trust and confidence in us receive all the medically appropriate care they require -- in the most cost-effective setting -- is our first priority. And we do that very well.

We are not here, hat in hand, and you will not hear us use defensive or apologetic phrases such as “we are doing the best we can under the circumstances.” The [other organization] has clearly attempted to put us on the defensive by bringing to you and to the media a list of cases in which it appeared that our customers had been denied needed care. But upon careful review, we have determined that appropriate care was delivered in each and every case

Close