A newly formed, out-of-state group has launched a costly and aggressive advertising campaign in Alabama targeting Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, coinciding with ongoing litigation involving Jackson Hospital & Clinic.
According to reporting by Yellowhammer News, the group, Alabama Patients First LLC, was formed in Delaware on December 11. Delaware does not require limited liability companies to publicly disclose their ownership, making it difficult to determine who controls or finances the group.
The outlet reported that Alabama Patients First has spent more than $320,000 on television advertising across multiple Alabama media markets, including Montgomery, Birmingham, Huntsville and Dothan. The ads began airing in mid-December during high-profile programming, including SEC football games, and feature sharp criticism of Blue Cross.
The advertising campaign began the same week Jackson Hospital filed a lawsuit against Blue Cross in bankruptcy court, alleging unfair reimbursement practices. At the same time, Jackson Hospital and its lender, Jackson Investment Group, are operating under a court-approved debtor-in-possession financing agreement that governs the hospital’s operations during its Chapter 11 restructuring.
Yellowhammer News reported that it contacted Jackson Hospital, Jackson Investment Group and Jackson Healthcare seeking to confirm or deny any connection between the hospital, its lender and Alabama Patients First. Those requests were not answered prior to publication.
Blue Cross responded publicly to the advertising campaign. In a statement quoted by Yellowhammer News, a company spokesperson said the ads misrepresent the insurer’s business practices and suggested the campaign was intended to influence ongoing litigation.
There is no public documentation identifying who funds Alabama Patients First or establishing any direct connection between the group and the parties involved in the Jackson Hospital bankruptcy or lawsuit, leaving key questions about the campaign unanswered.
