Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

"In the face of ever-rising health insurance premiums, it's an outrageous affront to the individuals, families, and businesses relying on health insurance provided by Blue Cross, UnitedHealthcare, or Tufts --- and already struggling to keep up with spiraling costs --- when they are excluded from a process in which substantial increases in health care are proposed," Lynch said in a statement.

"Your office has consistently indicated that transparency is an important issue. Yet, when you have an opportunity to have a full public review of rate increases that will affect countless Rhode Island citizens, you apparently have decided to draw the curtain and consider these rates and rating factors behind closed doors."

Koller issued a statement responding to the letter he received from Lynch.

"We have made no decision on whether or not a hearing is necessary," it reads. "The health plans have submitted ample information for review and analysis by this Office, more of which is available for public review than ever before. We appreciate the Attorney General's interest in this filing and will consider his expert input and comments from any members of the public as we continue to analyze the filings.

"As our review process moves toward a conclusion, a decision on a hearing will be made. This decision will come in the next few weeks."

Lynch called the rate increases "unconscionable" and said they should not be granted. Raptakis (D-Coventry) says the legislation he would like to draft won't have an impact on the current rate hike proposals, including the 11.2-percent electricity increase sought by National Grid.