BOSTON—A premium dispute between major Massachusetts health insurers and state regulators hangs on the decision of a judge.
Suffolk Superior Court Judge Stephen Neel promised a ruling by close of business Monday as insurers seek an order allowing them to go ahead with planned 2010 rate increases for plans covering small businesses.
The state Division of Insurance has rejected the bulk of the proposed increases, saying the companies have not justified them and exceed the medical inflation rate.
The debate has political undertones, as Gov. Deval Patrick seeks re-election. One of the Democrat's main challengers is Republican Charles Baker, the former president of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.
He says the rejections are an "election-year gimmick" by Patrick to create an issue between them.
