Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a strong statement following recent filings from Centene Corporation and Blue Cross Blue Shield seeking to raise health insurance premium rates in Arkansas by as much as 54% and 25.5%, respectively.
“Arkansans are tired of getting outrageous bills from multi-billion-dollar insurance companies, and my administration will not allow them to take advantage of our people,” said Sanders.
“Nothing justifies year-over-year premium increases of this scale – it’s wrong and prohibited under Arkansas law.”
The Governor pointed to state law requiring the Arkansas Insurance Commissioner to disapprove of rate increases deemed excessive or discriminatory.
She stated that the proposed hikes fall into both categories and urged immediate action.
“I’m calling on my Commissioner to follow the law, reject these insane rate increases, and protect Arkansans,” Sanders said.
The Arkansas Insurance Department will review the filings before making a final determination.