FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      
Contact:  
Margaret Jarvis
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
972-766-7165
or margaret_jarvis@bcbstx.com

BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF TEXAS’ GENERAL COUNSEL SELECTED FOR THE PRESTIGIOUS ROBERT DEDMAN AWARD

The Dedman Award Committee of the DFW Chapter has named Ron Taylor as the 2006 Dedman Award recipient for Ethics and Law.

Richardson, Texas (Oct. 13, 2006) — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) announced that its vice president and general counsel, Ron Taylor, has been selected as the 2006 recipient of the Robert H. Dedman Award for Ethics and Law. The prestigious award is given each year to honor the late Robert H. Dedman as its first award recipient and continues to recognize individuals who demonstrate excellent ethical standards during their careers.

“Blue Cross could not be more proud that a key leader on our management team has been recognized for the high standards he sets for our organization and the legal profession,” says Martin G. Foster, president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. “The exemplary professional ethics he brings to every decision he makes on behalf of the company is worthy of such an honor.”

Mr. Taylor, a graduate of the Dedman SMU School of Law, joined Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas in 1989. In addition to his role as leader of a staff of 16 legal professionals at Blue Cross, Taylor is active in the health insurance industry, serving on the Boards of Directors of the Texas Association of Life & Health Insurers, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the Caring for Children Foundation and the Texas Association of Health Plans. Taylor is also a member of the Texas General Counsel Group and was instrumental in helping form the Texas General Counsel Forum, serving on both the Forum’s statewide and chapter boards.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is the only statewide, non-investor owned health coverage provider in Texas, serving more than 3.3 million members in all 254 counties. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.