The Transcript recently asked Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma, the state's largest health care insurer, five questions about the ongoing debate in Washington that could potentially have a major impact on the insurer's operations and the way they conduct business. Nicole Amend, a spokeswoman with for BCBSOK, answered the questions.

Q:What is BCBSOK's official stance on proposed health care reform currently being discussed in Washington?

A:"Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma strongly believes health care system change is needed. The country must get health care costs under control, and we need to ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care. We have a unique opportunity now to improve the system and we do not want to see that opportunity lost.

But we also agree with the vast majority of Americans that changes should not jeopardize those qualities that make our system the best in the world - choice, innovation and competition.

In addition to controlling rising health care costs, our current system needs reforming to increase access for the uninsured populations and enhance quality throughout the system.

To address these issues, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma believes that we must build on the current employer-based system, which provides coverage to more than 165 million Americans."

Q: As a private health insurer, what is BCBSOK's most prominent concern regarding President Barack Obama's proposed health care reform? In other words, which issue under the plan seems to pose the largest hazard to your business?

A: "Any hazards in the current health care proposals are not to our business as so much as to our customers, all Oklahomans and all Americans. We want a reformed health care system that truly works for everyone and in which everyone can afford to participate. The issue of affordability is in danger of being lost. A weakened personal responsibility requirement, coupled with other factors, is likely to cause premiums to soar for many people.

A report released recently by Oliver Wyman Inc. estimates that without a strong individual requirement, a new individual health insurance policy would cost 50 percent more five years from now, not including medical inflation. For Oklahoma, this would translate into premium increases of nearly $1,300 annually for single coverage and $3,000 for family coverage in today's dollars for Oklahomans purchasing new policies. Requiring insurers to cover everyone regardless of pre-existing conditions without an effective personal responsibility requirement will mean that people will wait to purchase coverage until they need it -- causing premiums to increase for most new purchasers.

Young, healthier people are price sensitive, and it's important to have them in the system to help keep costs down for everyone. Oliver Wyman Inc. estimates a strong requirement will draw nearly 3 million young and healthy members into the reformed individual market. This healthier insurance pool will result in lower premiums than a weak personal responsibility requirement."

Q: Do you feel like too much government involvement is bad for the health care industry?