Earlier this month, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine, together with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, joined representatives of a wide variety of Maine organizations in a week-long hearing on Anthem’s proposed purchase of Maine Blue Cross.

The hearing, conducted by Superintendent Iuppa of the Maine Bureau of Insurance, addressed every aspect of this proposed transaction. It marked the conclusion of an exceedingly fair and exhaustive approval process as outlined by Maine law. This process — which began when we announced our intention to affiliate these two Blue Cross companies last July — also included a series of formal public hearings conducted in every part of the state.

Over the past nine months, we have traveled throughout the state and met with hundreds of Maine citizens and organizations to discuss our proposed affiliation. We have met with legislators, with officials from the administration, with customers large and small, and with news media representatives to explain our proposal and answer questions. We have embraced the process, and we have come to understand and respect the concerns expressed by some about this historic affiliation.

Having listened to the concerns of Maine people, we believe even more strongly today than we did last July that our proposed affiliation is good for Blue Cross and good for the citizens of Maine. Most of the proceeds of the sale will be used to establish an independent charitable foundation that will serve all Maine citizens. The fairness of the offered purchase price has been confirmed by independent experts hired by the Bureau of Insurance.

We have demonstrated that this affiliation will provide Blue Cross of Maine with the financial resources it needs to meet its capital and reserve requirements and will allow it to be competitive in the future.

We have shown that Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, through its successes in New England and in the Midwest, is committed to quality, affordable health care.

We have affirmed our ongoing commitment to be a good corporate citizen, dedicated to improving the health not only of our members but also the people of Maine.

We have addressed concerns about the future of health care in rural Maine. Anthem’s Blue Cross plans operate statewide in all of its seven states. In Maine, we have committed to assume existing contracts between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine and providers from every corner of the state.

We have shown that our business strategy calls for realizing operational efficiencies while leaving key health care decision making in the hands of a strong, local management team.

The comments of those who oppose this transaction notwithstanding, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is not here to replace Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has grown from the same “Blues” heritage and principles that have guided the Blue Cross and Blue Shield system for more than 60 years.

In Maine, as elsewhere across the nation, health care is at a crossroads. The dramatic changes that have marked the health care landscape over the past several years continue to take place almost daily. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s success in bringing together Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans across the United States has been driven by understanding the needs of its customers, and by its dedication to the best interests of its members, its associates, and the communities it serves.

We certainly do not expect Maine people to accept this commitment at face value. We fully understand that we must prove that commitment every day in the way we do business, just as Anthem Blue Cross does now in each of its seven states and as Maine Blue Cross has done here in Maine.

We believe we have met our first obligation — to demonstrate the value of this affiliation to the people of Maine and to show the soundness of our business strategy.

We look to the conclusion of the review process and if the proposed transaction is approved, we look forward to demonstrating our commitments in the way we know best — by providing excellent service to our customers and the people of Maine.

William J. Ryan is President and Chief Executive Officer Peoples Heritage Financial Group and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine. Keith Vangeison is President and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine. Larry Glasscock is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.