PA-based insurer’s CEO says Blues deal could hurt competition

Capital BlueCross Chief Executive Officer Anita Smith said the merger between Highmark Inc. and Independence Blue Cross. would further stifle competition in Pennsylvania's health insurance market unless some conditions are attached. Although Highmark and IBC have testified that the merger wouldn't reduce competition in the state because the two insurers' geographic footprints don't overlap, Smith said her counterparts were omitting key details.