Cox, AARP Oppose Blue Cross-Blue Shield Legislation

LANSING -- The AARP says Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is pushing legislation that could raise the cost of insurance for millions of residents. AARP Michigan President Eric Schneidewind says the legislation would make it harder for some citizens to afford insurance and lead to more uninsured families.

"Some of these people will be losing their group coverage that they're getting through employers who are closing down," says Schneidewind. "They'll be looking for individual policies, and the Blues want legislation which would dramatically increase the price of that coverage for many of these people."

He says the Blues want to take the Attorney General and the Insurance Bureau out of the business of making sure insurance rates stay reasonable.

Attorney General Mike Cox has already publicly stated he considers the plan a bad deal for Michigan residents and he's certain insurance premiums will rise if the bill passes in the lame duck legislature in Lansing.