A deadline of March 2, 2000 for the filing of expert reports in the above-captioned proceeding was established by the Superintendent in a Procedural order issued November 4, 1999. By motion filed March 2, 2000, CAHC requested an enlargement of time to March 17, 2000 within which to file expert reports. The basis for its motion is that CAHC has yet to retain experts. CAHC asserts that as a nonprofit organization with a limited budget it has been unable to find an expert willing to work on a reduced fee or pro bono basis.

The motion of CAHC is hereby denied. CAHC filed its application to intervene in this proceeding on October 27, 1999. Its application was granted on November 12, 1999. Although the Superintendent had not acted on its application, CAHC appeared at and participated in a prehearing conference held October 29, 1999 at which the deadline for the filing of expert reports was established.

As noted previously, the procedural order setting forth all deadlines was issued November 4, 1999 followed by the issuance of the Notice of Hearing on November 5, 1999. CAHC has had ample opportunity to conduct discovery and engage expert witnesses. Further, once CAHC became aware it might not be able to retain a suitable expert, it should have notified the Superintendent immediately rather than wait until minutes before the deadline for the filing of expert reports.

Per Order of the Superintendent, the Motion is DENIED.

DATED: ______________________________

ALESSANDRO A. IUPPA

Superintendent of Insurance