State Sen. Jeremy Stine, R-Sulphur, has not changed his mind about the sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, a nonprofit, to Elevance, a for-profit company.
“I remain opposed, even more opposed now,” he said. “Not a lot has changed except for the makeup of the foundation board.”
Elevance says the deal will mean Louisiana policyholders would enjoy the benefit of new, expanded services and new technology. As a national company with millions of customers, Elevance argues it can negotiate for less expensive prescription drugs than Blue Cross.
The Louisiana Medical Society has urged caution to the 96,000 policyholders regarding the sale. The Hospital Association has not come out against the deal. The Medical Society represents more than 4,000 doctors, some of whom are members, Stine said.
One of those doctors, a retired attorney and an insurance agent — constituents in Stine’s district — called the senator’s attention to the pending sale back in July. Stine was on the Senate Insurance Committee at the time.