Now that Norton Healthcare and Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield have agreed to a new three year contract after an ugly dispute that affected some 300,000 people in Kentuckiana, Kentucky House Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark says he will continue to pursue legislation that aims to prevent policy holders from paying the price for corporate disagreements in the future.

Here is the statement from Clark's office:

LOUISVILLE - "During the three and half months that the dispute between Anthem and Norton has been ongoing, I met with Norton President and CEO Steve Williams and Anthem President Deborah Moessner in an attempt to persuade them to come to an agreement on behalf of our most vulnerable populations who were left wondering whether they would be able to get the treatment they needed. I'm very happy that both sides have come to an agreement today and I will continue to pursue BR213 in 2010, legislation that will protect the 300,000 health insurance consumers in the Commonwealth from the potential fallout from these types of disagreements that may arise in the future."

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