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Congressman Paul Tonko has sent a letter to New York Governor David A. Paterson asking the state to investigate double-digit premium increases proposed by health insurance companies, including Empire BlueCross BlueShield, an affiliate of WellPoint. Congressman Tonko wants the Governor and New York State Insurance Superintendent James J. Wrynn to look into the increases to determine if any mistakes were made in calculating the new rates.

Another WellPoint affiliate, Anthem Blue Cross, withdrew a massive rate hike in California after state regulators there rejected the increase because of mathematical errors in the company’s calculations. 

“I supported health care reform because the yearly trend of rate hikes has become unsustainable for working families, while at the same time many insurance companies are seeing record profits,” said Congressman Tonko. “New York needs to re-examine any proposed premium increases to protect consumers from rate hikes that may be unfair and unnecessary.” 

Congressman Tonko also applauded Governor Paterson’s efforts to reinstate regulations that would allow the State Insurance Department to review and approve rate hikes in advance.

Click below to read the full letter.