Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of Ohio

Ohio insurance regulators will reportedly veto the proposed $299-million takeover of nonprofit Ohio Blue Cross & Blue Shield by Columbia/HCA Healthcare Inc., the nation's largest for-profit hospital chain. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Thursday that the department will rule that the deal is unfair to Blue Cross policyholders. Quoting unnamed sources, the newspaper said the department could act within two weeks.

Ohio insurance regulators will reportedly veto the proposed $299-million takeover of nonprofit Ohio Blue Cross & Blue Shield by Columbia/HCA Healthcare Inc., the nation's largest for-profit hospital chain. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Thursday that the department will rule that the deal is unfair to Blue Cross policyholders. Quoting unnamed sources, the newspaper said the department could act within two weeks.

The recent visit to the White House was memorable for John Polk from Cleveland: An opportunity to talk to President Bush about today's hot topic--health insurance. "After we did our song and dance, the President said, 'How can anybody be against this?' " recalled Polk, who runs an organization that buys health insurance for 8,500 small businesses.