Birmingham, Alabama —A hearing on previous filed Motions to Dismiss in the Blue Cross Blue Shield antitrust litigation was held in Birmingham, Alabama on Wednesday.    The hearing, conducted in Birmingham, Alabama, will result in an Order that will determine the status of the case going forward.  Lead attorneys for both sides made arguments supporting their positions in the 6 hour session.

The hearing, conducted in Birmingham, Alabama, will result in an Order that will determine the status of the case going forward.  Lead attorneys for both sides made arguments supporting their positions in the 6 hour session.

The lawsuits, consolidated before Judge David Proctor in the Northern District of Alabama in MDL 2406, allege that the Defendant Blue Cross Blue Shield entities conspired to violate federal antitrust regulations by allocating health insurance markets.  The complaints allege that they did so in a manner that eliminated and stifled competition and increased profits for Blue Cross Blue Shield at the expense of doctors and other health care service providers, large and small businesses that purchased insurance for their employees and competing health care insurers.

Joe Whatley and Edith Kallas of Whatley Drake & Kallas argued for the healthcare provider plaintiffs and David Boies of Boies, Schiller & Flexner and Michael Hausfield of Hausfield, LLP addressed issues for subscriber plaintiffs.

“The result of the hearing will be an Order by the Court that defines the future of the case.  We look forward to the next steps” noted Providers Co-Lead Counsel Joe Whatley.

All cases have been consolidated before Judge David Proctor as In Re: Blue Cross Blue Shield Antitrust Litigation, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama, 13-20000.

To learn more about this litigation go to www.bluesantitrustlitigation.com or follow on twitter @ BluesLitigation.