BlueCross Accepts Metro Council's Call for Mediation with HCA; Concern Over Escalating Health Care Costs Still Main Issue.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 27, 2003 BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee  This article or section is written like an .Please help [ rewrite this article] from a neutral point of view. Mark blatant advertising for , using . today agreed to submit all or part of the contractual disagreement between BlueCross and HCA HCA, n.pr See acid, hydroxycitric. to mediation in accordance with a Metro Council resolution. "This unfortunate situation came about because HCA's rates were so far out of line with other Tennessee hospitals. Our customers have told us that affordability is their principal issue with healthcare insurance, "said Vicky Gregg, President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of BlueCross. "We welcome this opportunity for impartial Favoring neither; disinterested; treating all alike; unbiased; equitable, fair, and just. mediation and are pleased that the Metro Council has shown such leadership with this fair-minded resolution," she continued. "We undertook this issue based on our belief that HCA simply charges too much, and we are willing to stand by that belief and let an impartial third party look into the matter," Gregg said. "We are willing to enter mediation for either the entire contract, or just those counties where HCA is the sole hospital provider." BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee delivered to the Metropolitan Clerk a letter of response to resolution RS2003-1344. That resolution, sponsored by David Briley C. David Briley (born January 8, 1964) is a Councilmember-at-Large of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. He has served since 1999 and was re-elected in September 2003. and adopted February 4, calls for BlueCross and HCA to enter into mediated me·di·ate v. me·di·at·ed, me·di·at·ing, me·di·ates v.tr. 1. To resolve or settle (differences) by working with all the conflicting parties: negotiations. "We are more than willing to let a mediator mediator n. a person who conducts mediation. A mediator is usually a lawyer, or retired judge, but can be a non-attorney specialist in the subject matter (like child custody) who tries to bring people and their disputes to early resolution through a conference. look at our rates for comparable hospitals and help reach a reasonable contract," said Ron Harr, senior vice president for BlueCross. "We've taken a firm negotiating stand to protect our members from high rate increases; similarly, we have a responsibility to our members to pursue all possible avenues to resolve this critical dispute," Harr said. "We have tried everything, and we agree with the Metro Council that this issue is too important to continue without resolution," Gregg said. "Since HCA won't negotiate with us, I urge them to respect the Metro Council's request and agree to mediated negotiations." About BlueCross BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is the state's leader in health care financing. Founded in 1945, the Chattanooga-based not-for-profit company now serves more than 4.3 million people. The company paid more than 42 million claims and $11.7 billion in health care benefits in 2001. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has more than 4,300 employees. For more information on BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, visit the company's Web site at www.bcbst.com. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is an independent licensee licensee n. a person given a license by government or under private agreement. (See: license, licensor) LICENSEE. One to whom a license has been given. 1 M. Q. & S. 699 n. of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. |
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