Supporters of Proposition 45, the ballot initiative that would require health insurance companies to publicly disclose rate changes, brought a truckload of steer manure outside the El Segundo offices of Blue Shield on Tuesday to protest the insurance company’s stance against the ballot measure.
Supporters say the company has given $9.5 million to campaign against Proposition 45, and they wanted to "return to Blue Shield the B.S. that it has been spreading around California."
"The voters need to know that they’re being deceived by fraudulent advertising," said Jamie Court, a campaigner for the ballot measure.
A message left for Blue Shield spokespeople was not immediately returned.
In addition to requiring public disclosure of rate changes, Proposition 45 would allow California’s insurance commissioner to control rates for health insurance. Supporters say this initiative will stem skyrocketing healthcare costs.
Opponents of Proposition 45 say Covered California has already helped keep rates under control.
"We’ve already solved the problem. Let’s not add another layer of bureaucracy which really gives power to one person and enriches trial attorneys," said Dr. Sam Fink, an opponent of Proposition 45.
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Proposition 45 is sponsored by Consumer Watchdog, which has spent $3 million on the campaign compared with the $38 million spent by insurance companies and medical groups opposed to the measure.
