I would like an investigation of the Department of Insurance to see whether it has become a rubber stamp for health insurance increases.  My rate with Carefirst BlueCross BlueShield went up 26% this year, and was approved by the Department of Insurance.  When is the last time the Department of Insurance denied a rate increase?  Does the Department of Insurance actually review the books of insurance companies or does it blindly accept what they tell it?  Has the budget for the Department of Insurance been cut so much it cannot properly do its job?  The Department of Insurance is not serving the people of Virginia - it is serving insurance companies.  BlueCross BlueShield pays only a very small portion of health care providers' bills, as noted on the statements I receive.  Does the Department of Insurance know this?  Does it care?  I now pay $9,840.00 per year in premiums, which doesn't include co-pays for medical services and drugs!  This is ridiculous!  I saw in The Washington Post recently that Forbes.com named Virginia "as the best state in which to do business for the third straight year."  Now I know why!  Why doesn't the Governor and the General Assembly look into this?