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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

State Regulators Investigate Blue Cross Today

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Tuesday, August 7, 2007   

California's Department of Managed Health is meeting Tuesday to investigate Blue Cross for sending almost a billion dollars in profits to an out-of-state parent company - something the company had promised not to do - while denying coverage to Californians with "pre-existing conditions" and canceling coverage when people use it. Anthony Wright with Health Access California, argues that new rules are needed.

"And rules with regard to making sure they spend most of the money that they collect in premiums on patient care, rather than administration, marketing and profits."

Wright sees Blue Cross' practices as a strong argument for health care reform, so Californians can have access to affordable policies with a good standard of coverage. Blue Cross will make statements later today about the investigation.

Jan Stevens is a registered nurse in Anaheim who has been covered by Blue Cross for 17 years. She's paid $11,000 to Blue Cross over the past two years in premiums, and had to cover $8,000 worth of out-of-pocket prescription expenses. She says the continual price increases and coverage reductions have her selling off items in her home to try to pay for medication.

"I am now disabled, on a fixed income and I can no longer afford my medications, or the cost of premiums. Something must be done now."



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