James Purcell, managing partner of Partridge, Snow & Hahn, a Providence based law firm, has been named chief operating officer of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Rhode Island’s predominant health insurer. Purcell becomes the insurer’s second ranking executive, reporting to Ronald A. Battista, president and chief operating officer.
During the last 12 years, Purcell has worked closely with Blue Cross, participating in rate filings, litigation and regulatory relationships, Blue Cross said. At Partridge, Snow & Hahn, Purcell’s practice concentrated on health care issues, commercial and federal civil litigation, according to information provided by the firm in February for Providence Business News Legal Resource Guide.
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Purcell will assume the position held by Battista before he succeeded Douglas McIntosh as Blue Cross President.
He joins Blue Cross at a turbulent time for health insurers and the health care industry. Two insurers have left the state recently – Tufts and Harvard Pilgrim Health, leaving Blue Cross and United Health Care of New England as the dominant insurers in the market, with Blue Cross holding the largest share.
With rising insurance rates and a growing number of uninsured individuals, government and other officials have been trying to find solutions to what many term a health care crisis.
Battista said Purcell brings to Blue Cross “exceptional knowledge and understanding of the company,” the health care environment, with “first-hand experience in some of our most challenging situations.”
Purcell said that while he will miss the law firm, he is “very excited” in facing the challenges that Blue Cross and the health care industry are involved nationally and locally.
Battista said Purcell’s appointment allows him to concentrate more on “planning, long-term strategy and community relationships.”
