Anthem Blue Cross announced rate hikes for individual and family policies, scheduled for March 1st. The hikes are substantial which has the state's insurance commissioner alarmed. He issued a press release, part of which is below:

California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, responding to a dramatic proposed rate hike by WellPoint's California affiliate, Anthem Blue Cross (Anthem), today called on WellPoint executives to postpone the rate increase, allowing the California Department of Insurance proper time for an independent actuarial review of the proposal."

"As a public benefit and to ensure that policyholders are not forced into financial hardship as a result of Anthem's proposed rate increases," said Commissioner Poizner, "I am asking that Anthem agree to postpone those rate increases until the Department's independent actuary completes his review."