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To find out who your legislator is call 202-224-3121. |
CAREFIRST WATCH COALITION
UPDATE ON COALITION ACTIVITIES
Mary Lee Stein, LICSW
In mid-May, DC Insurance Commissioner Larry Mirel issued a written report
stating his belief that the District-based affiliate of CareFirst BlueCross
BlueShield (GHMSI*)
is meeting its non-profit legal and charitable obligations, but has a moral and
civic responsibility to do more to address the health care needs of the National
Capital region.
GHMSI has denied that it has any charitable obligation to the citizens of the
region, beyond its subscribers.
While Commissioner Mirel is unwilling to use his authority to force GHMSI to do
more, his report requires CareFirst to submit a report to him in September
detailing the company’s charitable activities for 2005 and those planned for
2006. .
Backed by the CareFirst Watch Coalition of community organizations, DC Appleseed
Center has met with the DC Attorney General, the City Administrator and DC
Councilmember Jim Graham to explore other strategies toward clarifying and
enforcing the law. Graham, who chairs the DC Council’s Committee on Consumer and
Regulatory Affairs, has scheduled a hearing on proposed legislation for
September 28.
DC Appleseed has also commissioned a study analyzing CareFirst’s announced
program of giving for 2005, to be released in late August or early September.
Mary Lee Stein represents GWSCSW on the steering committee of the CareFirst
Watch Coalition.
*GHMSI (Group Hospitalization and Medical Services, Inc.) is the CareFirst affilate covering the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, the close-in Maryland suburbs, and Delaware.
For GSCSW Legislative
Information contact:
GWSCSW
5028 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 404
Washington DC 20016
Phone 202 537 0007
Fax 202 364-0435
Email GWSCSW@gmail.com
Website http://www.gwscsw.org