The company approved the raise for Braly last year while it prepared the massive rate increases in California—increases that the CEO claimed were necessary because WellPoint supposedly suffered a loss of business in 2009. That claim was disputed by documents obtained by a congressional committee that showed the number of policyholders went up, not down.

 

Braly’s compensation is now $13.1 million, up from $8.7 million. At least three other WellPoint executives were also rewarded with raises of as much as 75%.

 

Mark Weiss, whose Anthem policy will jump 35%, called the executives’ raises “unconscionable.” Weiss added in the Los Angeles Times: “How much more does somebody need??

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

WellPoint Hikes CEO's Pay Package (by Duke Helfand and Walter Hamilton, Los Angeles Times)

As Anthem Blue Cross Sends Profit to Wellpoint, It Plans Hefty Rate Hikes for Californians (by Lisa Girion, Los Angeles Times)

WellPoint Lied about Justification for Rate Increase (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)