Blue Shield refuses to hold back on rate hikes

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones had asked for a 60-day delay on the latest increase, which takes effect March 1 and averages 15 percent. That follows increases over the last five months - all told, rates are higher by up to 59 percent. Blue Shield did say it would submit the latest proposal to an outside expert for review, pledging to issue refunds if errors are found in the paperwork. Of course, a new state law requires all insurance rate hikes to be gone over by outside actuaries. (LAT)