Moving swiftly, federal regulators approved the merger of Highmark, Inc. and Independence Blue Cross, but state approval of the deal won't happen nearly as quickly, said state Sen.

Don White, R-41st."The Feds may have approved the merger, but this deal is far from done," said White, chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee."In fact, I am extremely surprised — even shocked — that the federal regulators could complete their review of a deal that would create the third largest health insurance company in the nation in only six weeks, especially when it takes that long to simply get a passport."White noted by comparison, the state Department of Insurance expects take up to 18 months just to consider the merger of the for-profit subsidiary companies.On May 22, the state Senate approved House Bill 112, legislation to provide state oversight of proposed mergers involving nonprofit health insurance companies, and sent the amended bill back to the House for concurrence.While the Insurance Department would hold final authority for a merger of nonprofit health insurance companies, House Bill 112 also establishes an Insurance Restructuring Public Interest Review Board.The board has of representatives from the auditor general's office, the administration, and the four caucuses of the General Assembly, as well as a policyholder to provide recommendations to the department.White said the public comment period on the proposed merger of the for-profit subsidiaries is open until July 11. He encourages people to submit their concerns to the state Department of Insurance.Information filed by IBC and Highmark are available for review on the Department of Insurance Web site. Go to www.insurance.state.pa.us and click on "Highmark/IBC Filing."———District Judge

Lewis

Stoughton of Chicora was recently recertified as a member of Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System following completion of his 2007 continuing legal education work.The weeklong instruction program in Chambersburg is required for all district judges.