Patrick Premium Caps Faulted In E-mail

A top state insurance official has said that health insurance caps the Patrick administration placed on major insurers had "no actuarial support" and would most likely cause "a train wreck."

In an April 6 e-mail obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press following a public records request, Deputy Insurance Commissioner Robert Dynan warned that the caps could cause insolvency at the insurance companies. Dynan also wrote that the caps were imposed "against my objections" and without his input.

Insurance Commissioner Joseph Murphy rejected a series of small business health insurance premium increases proposed by insurance companies on April 1.

Gov. Deval Patrick lauded the move, saying he hoped it would lead to lower premium costs for struggling small businessmen. Insurers unsuccessfully sued to overrule the rejection.