Similar bills filed in the Pennsylvania House and Senate would give the state more power to negotiate contracts between insurers and health care providers, including Highmark and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).

Highmark introduced a new individual insurance plan, effective Feb. 1, that it says offers simple health insurance coverage with a low premium, low deductible and predictable copayment structure.

Delaware’s insurance commissioner approved the affiliation between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware (BCBSD) and Highmark, imposing 49 conditions designed to protect consumers and BCBSD.

A major Delaware insurer, if affiliated with a Pennsylvania insurer, plans to invest $45 million over the next decade to help control in-state health insurance costs and improve health care infrastructure.

A Jacksonville, Fla.-based Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance subsidiary agreed to acquire Pittsburgh, Pa.-based Highmark‘s Medicare subsidiary.

Highmark and the West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS) agreed on a definitive partnership and selected an interim chief executive officer to oversee the implementation of the agreement.

Pennsylvania’s largest health system and largest health insurer are at a standstill in contract negotiations, and show no signs of calling it quits before their contract expires in 2012.

Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner has issued a report, based on comments at five public hearings held across the state, that suggests that state residents want tobacco settlement money to be used for health-related programs.

Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden has ruled that BlueCross BlueShield of Delaware’s (BCBSD) proposed affiliation with Highmark Inc. a “not-for-profit conversion,” meaning a foundation must be established to protect members in the state.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) upheld a decision to award a $3.1 billion Tricare dental plan contract to a different insurer, its first change in 15 years.