title: New England's Blue Cross Blue Shield shake-out: a case study in consumer activism.
abstract: For two generations, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) insurance plans could be counted on to play a key role in the financing of every community's health care system.  "The Blues" dominated the health insurance market, yet they were also a reliable "insurer of last resort."  In recent years, BCBS plans have begun to re-structure to stay competitive.  Four of New England's BCBS plans have proposed or completed mergers with Anthem Insurance, a mutual insurance company based in Indiana.  This issue of States of Health looks at how advocates in New England are working together to protect health care consumers amid this transformation.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sherman
mesh_terms: D054598:Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Plans / Q000266:history; D003254:Consumer Advocacy; D006273:Health Facility Merger; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009511:New England; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D009936:Organizational Innovation