Consumer Watchdog, the organization that is most actively pursuing this case, has asked the commissioner to hold at least four public hearings throughout the state to allow locals the chance to participate in the state's inquiry into these increases, according to the LA Times.
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Anthem, a subsidiary of Wellpoint, the largest insurer in the Golden State, has temporarily delayed the hikes until May in light of the ongoing investigation into the legality of these claims. The insurer has proposed an increase of premium rates by as much as 39 percent.
California state law requires that insurance companies devote a minimum of 70 percent of their premiums to direct health expenses for individual plan holders.