from reuters.com: A litigation onslaught facing the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and its 38 member health plans over alleged antitrust violations has snowballed ahead of a legal status conference scheduled for Thursday.

Three more lawsuits were filed last week alleging a conspiracy among the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and its member plans to divide the U.S. healthcare market into geographical areas that allowed plans to avoid competing with each other. At least 27 lawsuits have now been filed.

The litigation, which has gained national attention amidst a debate over rising healthcare costs, questions the legality of licensing agreements the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association has with member plans nationwide.

Plan subscribers and healthcare providers allege that through those agreements, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield member plans have agreed not to compete with one another, in violation of the Sherman Act and other state antitrust laws.