Statement from CEO Mike Reitz

“As most people know, on June 28, 2012, the Supreme Court ruled in the matter of challenges to the Affordable Care Act to uphold the entire Act as constitutional. At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, our mission is to provide all Louisianians with health guidance and affordable access to quality care. We will continue to implement the healthcare reform law while working with policymakers to fix provisions that will increase costs, such as the health insurance tax that will add hundreds of dollars to families’ premiums each year. 

“On behalf of our 1.4 million members, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana will continue to lead efforts in our local communities—partnering with doctors, nurses, hospitals and others—to rein in costs, improve quality, help people stay well and better manage their care when they need it.

“As an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, we were involved in the legislative process and in making comments to federal agencies as healthcare reform was debated. While we may not agree with every single provision of the Affordable Care Act, we were ‘at the table’ and participated in good faith to help make it work.

“Since March 2010, when the ACA was passed, we have done all we can to make healthcare reform work for Louisiana with as little disruption for our members as possible. We will continue to implement the law of the land while also continuing to develop innovative solutions to improve quality and increase access to healthcare.

“Our goals have always been to preserve a stable and effective health insurance market that provides quality healthcare to as many people as possible at the best possible price. We are also committed to continuing our work with all industry stakeholders to address the true drivers of healthcare costs.”

Open Mike: CEO Reitz reacts to Supreme Court ruling