January 20, 2000

Alessandro A. Iuppa

Superintendent of Insurance

Bureau of Insurance

34 State House Station

Augusta, ME 04333-0034

Re: Application of Associated Hospital Service of Maine, d/b/a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine, to Convert to a Stock Insurer and Voluntarily Liquidate and Dissolve and Application of Anthem Health Plan of Maine, Inc., to Acquire the Assets of Associated Hospital Service of Maine, d/b/a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine, and Related Transactions, Consolidated Docket INS-99-14

Dear Superintendent Iuppa:

This is with regard to your Order Establishing Deadline for Discovery Related to the Qualifications and Independence of Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin. The Order directed the parties to Notify the Superintendent and all parties of the name, professional affiliations and summary of testimony for each witness no later than 3:00 p. m. on January 21, 2000.

Subsequent to the issuance of the Order, the Attorney General initiated discovery on the issue of the qualifications and independence of Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin. Responses to the discovery are due January 26, 2000. Until the Attorney General receives the responses he will not be able to determine whether there will be evidence that the Superintendent should consider.

It is therefore requested that the Superintendent continue the hearing now scheduled for February 1, 2000 to February 8, 200 and extend the time to February 4, 2000 within which to notify the Superintendent of the nature of the evidence, if any, which will be presented at the hearing.

Sincerely,

 

WILLIAM H. LAUBENSTEIN, III

Assistant Attorney General

WHL:sw

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