STATE:Ala. judge to preside over anti-trust suits

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December 24, 2012

STATE:Ala. judge to preside over anti-trust suits

Anonymous Associated Press Wed Dec 26, 2012, 11:25 AM CST

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A collection of seven federal anti-trust lawsuits filed against Blue Cross Blue Shield ofAlabama — and two suits in other states — have been consolidated and Birmingham U.S. District Court Judge David Proctor has been appointed to preside over the case.

AL.com Monday reported Blue Cross Blue Shield officials say their 38 Blue Plans nationwide are an effort by health insurers to create a national brand with separate companies in different areas.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuits say the plans are actually independent companies that could compete against each other, but are instead divided among a single company. Blue Cross Blue Shield officials have called the lawsuits meritless.

Proctor will also preside over two lawsuits filed against the company in Tennessee and North Carolina.

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