Insurance Industry Report Promises To Increase Premiums By 111% Under Health Reform
Insurance Industry Report Promises To Increase Premiums By 111% Under Health Reform
After months of publicly supporting health care reform, insurers are warning Congress that under the Baucus health care bill, “the cumulative increases in the cost of a typical family policy…will be approximately $20,700 more than it would be under the current system.”
The industry has issued a new report arguing that the weak personal responsibility requirement, taxes on health care providers, spending reductions in Medicare and taxes on high-value health plans will increase “the cost of coverage for both single and family policies in the individual, small group, large group, and self-funded insurance markets.”
Ezra Klein and Jonathan Cohn dispute the report’s methodology here and here, but it’s worth pointing out that industry’s argument that reform will increase insurance premiums for all Americans is simply untrue. It could also backfire. As Rep. Anthony Weinder (D-NY) explained this morning on MSNBC, “the health insurance lobby today fired the most important salvo in weeks for the public option“:
If you have the health care industry complaining that we’re going to raise costs because of these changes, it is them putting us on notice that we haven’t put enough cost containment in the bill. You know, the health care industry themselves is putting out a whole report saying that. That should be a tell to the Baucus team that you know what, maybe it’s time for them to go back and revisit the public option. In a strange way, and look, obviously they didn’t mean this, the health insurance lobby today fired the most important salvo in weeks for the public option, because they have said, as clear as day, left to their own devices, according to their own number crunchers, they’re going to raise rates 111%.
The reality is, some reform provisions would tend to make premiums higher than current-law premiums; other provisions would “tend to make them lower.” Americans from different income brackets will pay different amounts for health care, but on the whole, the Baucus bill, which provides affordability subsidies for Americans between 133-400% federal poverty line, will offer health insurance policies that are far more affordable than what the insurance industry report predicts.
Here is a comparison between the non partisan Congressional Budget Office’s analysis of the cost of premiums in the Exchange and the industry’s report. As it points out, under reform, Americans — even those that don’t qualify for a subsidy — will have far more affordable insurance options than industry’s “average” suggests:
| Insurer Analysis: Premiums In 2016 | CBO Analysis: Premiums In 2016 (Exchange) |
| $21,300 | $14,400 |
Still, the Baucus bill must do more to control health care spending and lower premiums in the private market. After all, Congress shouldn’t force Americans to purchase unaffordable coverage. But for all their concern about ‘average health care costs’, insurers have a poor track record of controlling prices. As Families USA points out, insurers are “like a poker player who complains about his hand when, in fact, he is the dealer.”
Indeed, despite complaining about high health care premiums, insurers have lobbied against system-wide cost containment. They’ve spent millions of dollars opposing a public option that could reduce health case spending by some $150 billion and are even suing the state of Maine to increase premiums.
The insurance lobby is “conveniently forgetting that they imposed significant premiums increases during the past decade that are making health coverage unaffordable for families and businesses.” Now, since they’ve published a report promising to increase health insurance premiums even higher, the Senate must insert a public option mechanism (along with other cost-containment provisions) to competitively lower rates and keep the private health insurers honest.
Cross posted at The Wonk Room.
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The ONLY reason that premiums would have to be increased as much as they say is so that they can keep their immorally high, totally unnecessary, life-shortening profit margins. I hope our president and the more courageous members of Congress will tell them where they can shove their rate increases. They have just provided one more great argument in favor of Single Payer. The insurance companies simply cannot be trusted to do what’s in the best interests of the American people. Screw ‘em.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:32 pmIt’s their last gambit – pass health care reform and we’ll stick it to you.
They may have just insured that there will be a strong public option and major cost controls in the final legislation.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:32 pmIn that case, I would say that it is time to put single-payer on the table and see if they approve that.
Really no need for a trigger now that we know they are not even going to try.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:33 pmThis is starting to look a lot like economic blackmail.
Let’s eliminate the anti-trust exemptions for the insurers and make it illegal, as the other industrialized countries do, to make a profit on basic health insurance.
This threat by the insurance industry should be the “trigger” for starting over with single payer.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:39 pmMs. Ignagni looks as tho, any moment now, she’s going to peel her face off and reveal the Lizard-Woman beneath.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:43 pmGet these insurance industries out of health care.
They do NOT provide health care and while grabbing what they greedily steal, they cause increased stress = more illness to those they claim to help.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:44 pmIt cannot be said often enough, under the current system the insurance companies make more profits the more medical care costs. As long as they are envolved the costs will spiral out of control.
Medicare for all.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:47 pma typical family policy…will be approximately $20,700 more…
Unaffordable…shut down these thieves and make single payer a reality.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:49 pmHealth insurance industry ; blow it out your (greedy) asses.
If US automakers are allowed/forced to declare bankruptcy because no one wants to buy their exorbitantly priced , crappily built vehicles , there is no reason you shouldn’t be FORCED into the same type of scenario , you greedy bloodsuckers…………..
October 12th, 2009 at 3:49 pmProof positive that this industry needs to be abolished.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:53 pmCall Congress tell them they had their shot and this is how the insurance companies rewarded them. Now-Medicare for all, screw the public option–we want single payer. HR676 is ready to roll. Let’s get it passed.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:54 pmBaucus Plan Would Cost Family of Four $20,000 Over 10 Years in Premium Hikes
Get the parasitic insurance industry and Baucus out of health care.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:54 pmThese insurance companies are so greedy that they are criticizing the insurance company handout that is the current health care bill. Screw them. Open up a robust public option that will drive them out of business right now.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:55 pm“your money or your life” the ultimate free market exchange.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:00 pmThe report from the group America’s Health Insurance Plans concludes that, under the Baucus plan, the costs of private health insurance would rise by 111 percent over the next decade. Under the current system, costs would rise by 79 percent, the report said.
They are so full of it!!
I just calculated two of the employees’ insurance premium increases for the company I do bookkeeping for. I chose those two people because I know that there was NO CHANGE in their profiles and had not filed any major claims in the past couple of years.
One employee’s increase from last year to this year = 14.28%
Other employee’s increase from last year to this year = 31.43%
For them to say that under the current system rates would only increase by 79% – or 7.9% per year – is total bunk!! They must know that the bill will pass and are positioning themselves to blame their inflated increases on Democrats!
October 12th, 2009 at 4:04 pmAgreed, this latest attempt at extortion by the health insurance industry DEMANDS an equally potent response from the congress. By their admitted inability to contain costs, the only solution is to take the problem from their hands and in the competent hands of the government. Single payer must be put back on the table now, after the insurance industry has just attempted to scuttle the entire debate. I say SCREW EM!
October 12th, 2009 at 4:04 pmFine. Give us single payer; Medicare for all.
If not, give us all a robust public option…ALL of us.
This type of extortion is unacceptable and the government needs to drive that point home.
Someone needs to explain to me why we have private insurance companies. They serve no purpose other than to completely rip off their consumers.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:06 pmThis latest attempt at extortion demands an equally heavy handed response from the people of the United States. They have just tipped their hand to the foly of trying to work with them. They are as Cynical as the GOP and just as arrogant. This should tell the congress that SINGLE PAYER must be back on the table. Maybe then we may be able to come to a fair solution to this problem that is threatening to destroy this country.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:07 pmKaren Ignagni…
http://gripexperience.blogspot.com/2007/08/blog-post.html
October 12th, 2009 at 4:08 pm…and keep the private health insurers honest.
In order to stay honest, you have to be honest in the first place. It’s been troubling that a vairation on this phrase has been used for months as if there weren’t problems already, as if private insurance is the victim. No, it’s the dishonest industry itself that raises the need for reform.
How about making the insurance industry honest (no pre-existing conditions, no frivolous denying of claims, etc.)
Most normal, sane people would take this news (111% increase in premiums) as a sign that the bill doesn’t do enough to reform. Congress will take the news as imperative to give more help to the corporations. The corporations will turn around and increase premiums anyway, much more than 111%.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:08 pmWhenwillthisnightmareend says:
They are as Cynical as the GOP and just as arrogant.
And apparently just as willing to use fear tactics and lies!
October 12th, 2009 at 4:09 pmFine. Give us single payer
Exactly.
If the private sector really doesn’t think they can get this done more cheaply then let’s relieve them of this burden.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:09 pmBobwurst says:
“your money or your life” the ultimate free market exchange.
Extortion!
def:
1. an act or instance of extorting.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:12 pm2. Law. the crime of obtaining money or some other thing of value by the abuse of one’s office or authority.
3. oppressive or illegal exaction, as of excessive price or interest: the extortions of usurers.
4. anything extorted.
So, the immoral Health Industry decides to stick it to Americans again? These people are the worst of the worst. Allowing Americans to die for the Almighty Dollar. Why, I just heard that the company who denied a heavy baby reversed itself. Could it be the public outrage? These Companies should be dismantled as the monopolies that they are. Only the ‘Public Option’ can help us.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:15 pmWhy is this report being treated as credible?
October 12th, 2009 at 4:15 pmDid we expect anything different from the insurance industry?
Bush tried using free-market principles for national security and fighting wars and we got Blackwater and Haliburton.
Insurance companies are the same exact thing as Blackwater and Haliburton: companies whose sole purpose is to earn as much as possible while providing as little as possible.
And it doesn’t matter how many people die as a result, that is not even in the equation.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:16 pmI read that Wellpoint was losing money, rather policy holders money, on investments
October 12th, 2009 at 4:17 pmThe bottom line is that without a public option, at a minimum, there is absolutely no hope of health insurance reform. NONE. The best answer to this mess would be single-payer, period. Hel*, as far as I’m concerned, they should nationalize both the health insurance companies AND the pharma companies. Profit-making and capitalism have no place in the health and well-being of Americans and it’s time it was taken out. It’s been nothing but a witch’s brew for years.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:18 pmdef of extort:
1. Law.
a. to wrest or wring (money, information, etc.) from a person by violence, intimidation, or abuse of authority; obtain by force, torture, threat, or the like.
b. to take illegally by reason of one’s office.
2. to compel (something) of a person or thing: Her wit and intelligence extorted their admiration.
If the term pay or you die his not extortion I don’t know what is.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:18 pmShe is talking about increasing subsidies to private hedge fun…wait, insurance right?
Anyway, insurance rates were set to increase 120% in the next decade without reform so Im not sure what these fiat before life are now trying to accomplish…prolly real death panels.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:21 pmGreedy folks, these so called health insurers are! They have their nerve. They are truly the death panels of today.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:21 pmInsurance Industry Report Promises To Increase Premiums By 111% Under Health Reform
– - We need to display signs, a la Norma Rae:
PUBLIC OPTION!
October 12th, 2009 at 4:21 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
There is no doubt that the timing of the report was intentional. The report in essence is whining by the industry that they cannot make enough profits as the bill stands. They want more and they want the government to force people to buy the expensive insurance.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:24 pmThe insurance companies to Americans:
Let them eat cake!
October 12th, 2009 at 4:25 pmpops7154 says:
October 12th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
I just sold the American car I bought — a Chevy. It was a piece of shit.
When American cars are as well made as the Honda I drive now, I’ll consider buying American again.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:27 pm$20,700. . . .
That’s what I’m paying now.
So my premium will be over $40,000 a year, with coverage of 80% after a $1500 per person deductable.
And thousands more are paid to them in subsidies out of our taxes.
It IS time for Medicare for all.
It’s time for an uncorruptable plan for the best interest of our country’s citizens,
October 12th, 2009 at 4:28 pmnot the wealth of an industry whose greed has no boundries.
pops7154 says:
——————————————————————————–
October 12th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
“pops”
Don’t try to tell me how the auto industry works ; I was a top rated (”A”) mechanic for over a decade.
The CEO’s of GM , Chrysler and Ford all ROUTINELY made yearly salaries of over 10 MILLION PER YEAR ; Toyota’s CEO NEVER makes more than a million in any given year……
You have no clue what you’re babbling about.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:28 pmBecause they are for-profit companies they obey Wall Street dictates regarding profit margins and expanding their revenues.
Make them all NON PROFIT and see if they change their tune.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:29 pmAs Rep. Anthony Weinder (D-NY) explained this morning on MSNBC, “the health insurance lobby today fired the most important salvo in weeks for the public option“…
_____________________________________________________________
When I first saw the headline of this item, this was the very first thing that came to my mind. Nothing will hasten a public option faster than blatant greed and extortion from the private companies.
It’s like a company’s workers organizing because they are being treated badly by management, and management responds to their efforts by threatening to treat them even more badly. That’s more likely to motivate efforts to organize than discourage them.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:29 pmLet’s not get petty about cars, as they are nothing but financial burdens, no matter the brand.
I, for example, just traded my piece of utter shit 2003 Honda Odyssey for an very impressive 2009 Chevy.
I’m no fool, buying into a company we all share ownership of AND taking back 4500 dollars of my taxes.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:32 pmEither make health insurers non-profit or single payer for all.These greedy people are willing to cut off their noses to SPITE their face,I say let`em because no one will be able afford their rate hikes and we will all be going to the Emergency room and clog them up and create havoc and then we can get Single payer for all none left out.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:32 pmPut public option in the Baucus Bill and this threat by the insurance industry is instantly declawed.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:32 pmI just cannot get over this.
Wages have been stagnant for years. People are out of work. And they’re threatening us with ridiculous increases?
Forget the terrorists. This issue is bringing this country to its knees!
October 12th, 2009 at 4:36 pmFederal minimum wage for 2 full-time workers in a household =
$30,160. That’s 2 people working 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.
The article linked above says the current family policy is $12,300 today, and will increase to $25,900 by 2019 if the industry is “reformed” along the lines the insurance industry wrote through Sen. Baucus. The article also says that without reform premiums would only rise to $21,900 during that same time.
IF WE DO NOTHING more than simply requiring everyone to purchase health insurance, in ten years 2 out of every 3 dollars (or more) earned in a minimum wage household will go to health insurance companies.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:38 pmAs long as the insurance industry has a part to play in health care, no matter whose bill, the rates will go up.
Get the worms, maggots and leaches out, clean it up and let’s have an affordable health care system.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:41 pmThis reminds me of the bully who grabs your fist and punches you telling you to stop punching yourself… or the big brother who backs you into a corner and starts swinging his hands saying “I’m just gonna do this and if you get hit it’s not my fault…”
I think they are daring congress to set up a single payer system – that is the only way to ensure costs go down or at least that the people (gov’t) has some say over them
October 12th, 2009 at 4:42 pmHey look, somebody mentioned this exact report and story HOURS ago on another thread:
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/10/12/dobbs-fox-business/#comment-5842095
Thanks a lot.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:44 pmmary lacewing – you may have something here
they are terrorists – we need a strong elected rep to connect these dots. both in the insurance and banking industries!
October 12th, 2009 at 4:44 pmI agree, mary lacewing @ 45.
How can the House and Senate not see this industry’s behavior as a corporatist declaration of war on our economy and the security of us all?
How can this much corruption not be criminal in the United States?
Oh, yeah.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:47 pmEight years of Bush deregulation.
What this means, folks, what this means is that in order to control these skyrocketing costs, we must cut taxes! In fact, not only do we need to eliminate corporate taxes entirely on the health insurance industry, we need to subsidize the industry much in the same way we subsidize milk and soybeans. I mean, we pay farmers to not plant crops – we should pay insurance companies to not insure people. That way, the cost of sick people – and, let’s face it, folks, sick people are what drives these insurance rates through the roof – the cost of sick people won’t have to be burdened on the rest of us.
But the insurance companies shouldn’t be made to bear that kind of burden, either. It should fall on the people responsible in the first place – the sick people. It’s all a matter of individual responsibility, really.
So the best way to control these crazy out-of-control insurance premiums is to eliminate taxes on the health insurance industry, subsidize the companies for each sick person they kick off the roles and quit letting people sue their doctors.
/rush
October 12th, 2009 at 4:48 pmGuess what, folks?
there’s MORE than three years before ANY of the proposed reforms go into effect.
in the interim (and likely afterwards, too, in ways we cannot yet comprehend, but which are skilfully embedded in the language of the proposed legislation), the insurance industry can do any phucking thing it WANTS to do. It is under no PRESENT constraints, other than legal actions that might be alunched by the DoJ. I have NEVER detected ANY taste in ANY DoJ for such a conflict.
Speaking of the DoJ: Why are there still more than 60 former Bushevik US Attys in office?
October 12th, 2009 at 4:49 pmThis appears to be a form of extortion.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:51 pmThe insurance lobby practically WROTE the health care legislation and now they have paid for a “study” to indicate that the costs will be higher.
Who is going to raise those costs? They are, of course! They obviously want to protect their profits. Baucus and the Dems who have caved on the negotiations have been taken for fools — they gave up so much already, and now they are being told that it was futile.
So, public option is the way to go. To believe this study and use it to kowtow to the insurance company demands even further would be simply stupid.
Hey look, somebody mentioned this exact report and story HOURS ago on another thread:
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/10/12/dobbs-fox-business/#comment-5842095
Thanks a lot.
Don’t sprain your shoulder patting yourself on the back – your insurance might not cover it!
;)
October 12th, 2009 at 4:51 pmBnF @ 52:
Bravo/va! well imagined!
October 12th, 2009 at 4:52 pmIt’s not “a form of extorition.”
It’s blatant, textbook, god-father-pure extortion…
October 12th, 2009 at 4:53 pmginslinger says:
Hey, thanks for the article! Just more proof that we need a single-payer system!
You’re a chief, ginslinger…
October 12th, 2009 at 4:55 pm(P.S. hey, this would be a good chance to practice you ‘Arabic Numerals’ and Mathematics! You seem to need some more practice with the ‘Arabic Numerals’ to really understand why we need to cover everyone!)
I guess mandating that everyone purchase insurance — millions more clients for the insurance companies — is not enough for their greedy, profit-motivated desires.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:55 pmThis latest threat should backfire on them into oblivion.
If ANYTHING should be non-profit it’s basic health care.
It’s something we NEED. It can make the difference between continuing to live – or not.
If someone wants lasik surgery, big boobs, or prettier teeth then fine – go to the marketplace and find the best deal.
But for something like health care, if something goes wrong you have no choice! If you break a leg what are you supposed to do – set your own leg?!
October 12th, 2009 at 4:58 pmFat baby? No insurance!
Parents of this 4mo old, 17lb baby will be on the Ed shultz show tonight.
This is not a fat baby.
Both of my children were in the 99th percentile and have grown up to be healthy thin adults.
In fact, I heard somewhere and believe it to be true that well nourished babies tend to be less likely a risk for obesity in adulthood…. as the food insecurity is not there.
This is ridiculous.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:59 pmginslinger says:
Punished for what Al? Making promises you can’t afford to keep? This isn’t AAR where you can just steal from the boys and girls clubs to pay your inflated salary.
Making promises you can’t afford to keep? Like “deregulation” and “tax-cuts” that destroy the economy? LOL! You hypocritical extremist domestic terrorists are nothing more than traitors! ;)
October 12th, 2009 at 5:02 pmIt’s like they are lobbying for Single Payer! Bravo to the Reptilian Insurers.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:03 pmDear President Obama: A Modest Medicare Proposal by Thom Hartmann
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel with this so-called “public option” that’s a whole new program from the ground up. Medicare already exists. It works.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:06 pmThey get away with it because they can…
October 12th, 2009 at 5:14 pmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCarran-Ferguson_Act
Exempt from anti-monopoly laws (as if we have any anymore).
Exempt from liability. Can’t sue ‘em.
Not even considered “commerce”, so exempt from commerce laws as well.
The SCOTUS along with a blind eye from Congress have been throwing the working class American under the bus for quite some time now.
:(
The insurance industry’s thinking goes like this:
If we are going to be required to insure anyone who wants insurance, regardless of overall health or pre-existing conditions, we will raise our rates.
If we’re going to be required to pay claims instead of being allowed to rescind policies when they are filed, we will raise our rates.
If our taxes are going to go up to help subsidize those who can’t pay our obscene rates, we’re going to raise our rates.
Because our profits are sacred. And we will do whatever we have to in order not only to maintain our profit margin, but to ensure it increases each year.
And as long as you leave us in charge, we’ll have the power to do whatever we want to do. We know that higher rates mean more people won’t be able to afford our product, but since it will be the law that you have to buy it, the government will subsidize it. Which means LOTS of money will be coming our way, whether you’re paying it to us through premiums or taxes. Bwa-ha-ha-ha-hah!!
Of course, the thing that scares us the most is a public option. In order to keep people from flocking to it, we’ll actually have to be (ugh!) competitive. We’ll have to give our customers value for their money. And we’ll have to realize that we depend on them instead of the other way around.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:15 pmWhy don’t the insurance companies just be honest, and come right out with the truth – “Bend over and grab the vaseline”. At least then they wouldn’t be beating around the bush.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:15 pmI think we should one-up them: carry through on your threat and we’ll just pass single-payer and put you all out of business.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:17 pm“the cumulative increases in the cost of a typical family policy…will be approximately $20,700 more than it would be under the current system.”
_____________________________________________________________
Um…yes, that is indeed what the linked report claims it would be in 2019 — 10 years from now.
Seeing as how that rate of increase probably isn’t as high as the rate of increase over the LAST 10 years WITHOUT health care reform, can we get an estimate of what private insurance will be charging us in 2019 if nothing whatsoever is done?
The fearmongering isn’t going to work. Those of us with IQs higher than that of a Krispy Kreme donut already know that the “let’s do nothing” scenario is scarier than the health care reform scenario. We know that uninsured people mean higher premiums for the rest of us. And we know that every time premiums go up, another layer of people become uninsured. And we know this vicious cycle is spinning faster and faster.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:30 pmRemember the co-op? The insurance companies didn’t let that little-noticed “compromise” in the bill discourage their threats, and Baucus’ spokesperson didn’t mention it in his rebuttal.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:39 pmI recommend the Krispy Kreme diet as the free-market solution to health care.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:41 pmNationalize the industry. Give us universal single payer. Allow these business moguls find another product to sell.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:59 pmThis proves the need for the public option, this is nothing more than blackmail. It means that a cap on insurance company profits, about 3% seem reasonable.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:59 pmI have difficulty believing that the health care insurance companies are going to significantly change unless they are forced. They have had decades to change and did nothing. They bet that McCain would win so they did nothing to blunt health care costs before Obama took office. Now that the gun is to their head, they are reaching for even more. They have no intention of offering affordable insurance. The copays and limitations on certain medical expenses will be even worse.
The insurance industry may have overplayed their hand. The bill is advancing at the time of the year when people will be receiving their benefits packages from their employers. The employees will have to select a medical plan and the costs are going to bring out people’s anger when they see the prices. This will be on top of the losses in their 401k plans. This may bring out more public opinion in favor of the public option.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:00 pmI hope if the public option ever becomes law, the private “death for profit” healthcare… I mean “wealthcare” providers get put out of business.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:02 pmRevoltimg.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:02 pmThat is, revolting. Oops.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:02 pmOn a lighter note – RowwwwRrRrrr my cougar lurver just got 111% richer
October 12th, 2009 at 6:04 pmThe “Healthcare” insurance providers:
“We extort. You obey.”
October 12th, 2009 at 6:19 pmot …
just heard ed schultz say there was 200,000 people in washington sunday…
is there an official-type count reported?
October 12th, 2009 at 6:23 pmI hope that now, more than ever, a robust Public Option will be the centerpiece of the proposed health care reform bill.
I would be very happy to abandon my Blue Cross/Blue Shield policy if that insurer would choose such an ill-advised reaction.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:26 pmBesides issuing an embarrassingly sloppy report on the Baucus bill that ignores the entire half devoted to subsidies, etc., the industry is eminently stupid in opposing reform at this late stage. This back stab will absolutely cause more lawmakers to back a public option and screw the insurers once and for all.
http://www.political-buzz.com/
October 12th, 2009 at 6:28 pmI haven’t seen such dead eyes since Condi Rice.
**shudder**
October 12th, 2009 at 6:32 pmAren’t all of you fed up with being made to fork over money just to increase the already staggering wealth of the corporate elites?
Those “captains of industry” won’t be content until we are all broke and dead.
They have already given up on the notion of the U.S., with their Cayman residences,
October 12th, 2009 at 6:35 pmBarbados hideaways and European condos.
Was the report sloppy or did it deliberately cherry-pick “facts” to slant the outcome ?
October 12th, 2009 at 6:39 pmOT…
THIS should be enough to make troll heads explode….
Al Sharpton, the president of the National Action Network, urged the N.F.L. on Monday to reject conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh’s potential bid to buy the St. Louis Rams and asked for a meeting with N.F.L. Commissioner Roger Goodell. It’s the latest indication of the brushfire Limbaugh’s involvement in the bid has caused, months before N.F.L. owners are likely to consider a new ownership group for the Rams.
In a letter, Sharpton asked the N.F.L. to reject Limbaugh because he would be bad for the league. Goodell will respond to the letter when he gets it, the league spokesman Greg Aiello said. Goodell is currently in Boston for three days of owners meetings.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:41 pmhad enough says:
Fat baby? No insurance!
October 12th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
I agree, that is not an overly fat baby. My sons were in the 99th percentile until they stopped going to pediatricians, and they are as healthy as horses — always have been.
In fact, one of the docs said he liked to see chubby cheeks on a baby, because if they got sick they had something to fall back on.
When are we going to stop putting up with this shit?
October 12th, 2009 at 6:42 pmBTW, I didn’t mean the baby in the picture. I meant a baby weighing 17 lbs at 4 months is not overly fat.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:44 pmFreedom?
more like Hostage Situation.
CEO’s get the moon, and we all get the shaft.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:45 pmAnother winning strategy from corporate America.
Wonder how many large corporations will self-insure in the interim?
October 12th, 2009 at 6:55 pmIm kinda starting to lean towards maybe they just want to scrap everything
October 12th, 2009 at 6:57 pmQuestion, is her name pronounced “I-nag-ee”? Cuz I bet that she is one hell of a nag. (and no, I’m not referring to her horse-faced expression…)
October 12th, 2009 at 7:00 pmThey’re just going to cancel all our health insurance and take out secret life insurance policies on us.
October 12th, 2009 at 7:01 pmZooey says:
I haven’t seen such dead eyes since Condi Rice.
**shudder**
Huh, I was thinking she looks like that serial killer from “Silence of The Lambs”.
October 12th, 2009 at 7:03 pmI remember when they said house prices would always go up as well
October 12th, 2009 at 7:07 pmHow is this not extortion? Lets go with single payer and F#*K THEM!
October 12th, 2009 at 7:11 pmis there any cancervative troll around who can answer this simple question:
is this how the market “regulates itself” based on supply and demand?
October 12th, 2009 at 7:24 pmThey’ll raise rates even if reform doesn’t pass — it’s what they do best! — so what’s the difference?
October 12th, 2009 at 7:28 pmwell, you don’t see a headline like this very often:
Democrats Fire Back at Insurance Industry Analysis of Health Legislation New York Times
’bout time!
October 12th, 2009 at 7:32 pmDon’t expect a lot of outrage from Dems. The health care lobbyists will be out spreading a lot of money now that we have reached the voting stages on the bill. Every Dem, except those that are demanding a public option, is going to hear from the lobbyists. They have saved most of their money for this time to insure they will continue to have big profits.
October 12th, 2009 at 7:38 pmWe’ve known for months that the Baucus Bill’s architects were the healthcare industry’s lobbyists, armed with think tanks full of Wall Street and Big Pharm self-interest types.
October 12th, 2009 at 7:42 pmThey’re just hoping the country is too overwhelmed with two wars,
high unemployment and inflation, and partisan czar counting to notice that their beloved insurance providers were negotiating our corporate indentureship.
It’s time for the Federal Government to protect our interest,
and that of the free market, as required to sustain a true democratic capitalist economy.
Ms. Ignani’s salary last year was seven million dollars,
a substancial increase fromm a puny $1.2 million in 2006.
In her well funded delusion, I’m sure $40,000 a year seems a reasonable amount for families to pay for medical insurance,
October 12th, 2009 at 8:00 pmand perhaps assumes we have all recieved similar increases in income.
Bobwurst says:
Zooey says:
I haven’t seen such dead eyes since Condi Rice.
**shudder**
Huh, I was thinking she looks like that serial killer from “Silence of The Lambs”.
She looks like she’s auditioning for the Joker….
October 12th, 2009 at 8:01 pmAnd still the teabaggers continue to shout, yell and carry illiterate signs praising the giant health insurance rip-off practices.
On Ed Show: an insurance company denied a 4 month old baby because it was too fat.
October 12th, 2009 at 8:04 pmPrecondition = baby fat
Huh, I was thinking she looks like that serial killer from “Silence of The Lambs”.
—
October 12th, 2009 at 8:08 pmExcellent call but now I have that dang Tom Petty song stuck in my head…
And since that baby is now insured your going to have to put them to work at six years of age entering data into a terminal in the Wellpoint corporate offices for indoctrination because corporations are not just people, they are mothers.
/snarkysnark
October 12th, 2009 at 8:10 pm106 comments, I did not read all of them. This is O/T but when I looked at this womans picture my first thought was that she looks like the joker from batman with that mouth.
October 12th, 2009 at 8:13 pmI think her mouth is quite attractive though. OK sorry, carry on.
Oh wow. The health insurance industry is against raising insurance premiums? I guess this means they’re for the single payer system now! Way to go! /snark
October 12th, 2009 at 8:17 pmActually, her mouth looks like that because she’s had the insurance company’s d*cks in her mouth for too long! LOL I can just imagine what her butthole looks like. *slapping my hand across my mouth* I can’t believe I just said that!
October 12th, 2009 at 8:19 pmokie dokie says:
They’re just hoping the country is too overwhelmed with two wars, high unemployment and inflation, and partisan czar counting to notice that their beloved insurance providers were negotiating our corporate indentureship.
I think this report falls under the tactic of “give them an inch and they will want a yard.” The companies did their calculations under the bill and decided they would go for broke by trying to push Congress into giving them even more money through the tax subsidies. The fact that the WH and some Dems have called the industry on this report is a signal that they are not going to be bullied into even more concessions.
October 12th, 2009 at 8:21 pmI might suddenly have a crush on someone in Maine….
October 12th, 2009 at 8:26 pmIgnani having a Carmela Soprano moment?
October 12th, 2009 at 8:30 pmpags2 says:
Don’t expect a lot of outrage from Dems. The health care lobbyists will be out spreading a lot of money now that we have reached the voting stages on the bill. Every Dem, except those that are demanding a public option, is going to hear from the lobbyists. They have saved most of their money for this time to insure they will continue to have big profits.
Don’t count on it. The rip-off artists have a finite amount of money to spend on their bs.
Health insurance is really an unnecessary, soulless, money making, money grab, middle man, organization.
ONLY if the mafia had it so good.
It used to be
health insurance companiesthe mafia paid off government official now government is paying them.Madness!
We don’t need no stinkin’ insurance companies.
October 12th, 2009 at 8:33 pmThey should go via the buggy whip.
Y’all are wrong for talking about that woman’s mouth. :)
But she is the type I stare at when talking to them. I tend to not hear a word they say because I’m thinking about their defect.
And Kay…
October 12th, 2009 at 8:39 pmSorry, Game of Life. I got out of line didn’t I? LOL
October 12th, 2009 at 8:41 pmI guess it is time to scrap the public option then we can move to a single payer and cut the insurance industry out altogether. I think it will be enjoyable watching them raise rates when they have no policy holders except Tea Baggers who hate the government.
October 12th, 2009 at 8:44 pmWe all know what the health insurance companies are going to do if for some reason health care reform does not become law this year. They’ll skyrocket the rates of their customers and will say it’s because of the high cost of lobbying the government.
Seriously, they are THAT disgusting.
October 12th, 2009 at 8:49 pmKayinMaine, I cant believe that you said that either. Thats awesome. Anyway, Ive been to the blog where you have your picture. This woman Karen doesnt`t even come close. I think your are gorgeous.
October 12th, 2009 at 8:49 pmI think Ignagni would make a great wife for Limbaugh
October 12th, 2009 at 8:57 pmI tend to not hear a word they say because I’m thinking about their defect.
I bet her lips are just like those hiding under koo koo ka choos mustache.
October 12th, 2009 at 8:59 pmSscncturn64 @ #119, why thank you! I’m a little taken aback, because usually most comments about my picture are by the right wing neck drooling knuckle draggers who say I’m so ugly even a drunk man wouldn’t want me at the end of the night. So thanks for your kindness! *hugging it* :-)
October 12th, 2009 at 9:03 pmGame of Life says:
Don’t count on it. The rip-off artists have a finite amount of money to spend on their bs.
What is at stake is billions of dollars in profits. The lobbyists have carte blanc to wring more concessions out of Congress or defeat the bill. The health insurance companies already have invested millions that we know in campaign contributions and advertising. They are not going to cry uncle with all those billions just waiting to line their pockets. The only way the health care companies will be defeated is by public opinion that is so strong, the people in Congress will be afraid to vote against the bill with a public option.
October 12th, 2009 at 9:09 pmcountdowntohealthcare.com
A project of Congressman Anthony Weiner
October 12th, 2009 at 9:12 pmStarting to look like economic blackmail?? (See #4)
Could somebody please compare what we are all spending now or will be spending in 10 years (including Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance plans) to what we would all spend as a result of any of the bills including a public option? That would make it clear. Not even the NY Times seems capable of connecting those dots. They cheered the Baucus bill yesterday without using those stats.
October 12th, 2009 at 9:12 pmIf the Democrats and the White House are smart, they will use this flawed study as proof positive that we need a Public Option. It could be that the for-profit health insurance industry just shot themselves in the foot.
October 12th, 2009 at 9:14 pmKay, the rightwing tools who comment on your picture are just jealous. When they want to hug their woman they have to wrap their arms around hips as wide as a bus with a side arm on each hip. Your long curly hair is beautiful. Have a good night. My JETS are on goodnight.
October 12th, 2009 at 9:14 pmI think what they are saying is that if they are forced through health care reform to insure anyone who comes along and not cancel policies when someone gets sick, they will have to raise premiums that much so they can continue to make the billions in profit they make every year off of American people’s pain and suffering. Personally I would love to see the entire industry go away. There’s something obscene about what they are doing for profit.
October 12th, 2009 at 9:19 pmBilbo Hussein Baggins says:
I think what they are saying is that if they are forced through health care reform to insure anyone who comes along and not cancel policies when someone gets sick, they will have to raise premiums that much so they can continue to make the billions in profit…
That is correct. The health care insurance companies are unwilling to accept lower profits. This has triggered the last minute push for more concessions with the mandate. What the companies are looking for is more people to insure who will have government subsidies. These are going to be a goldmine for the companies because it will operate as a floor on their profits. Once they have all the people, then they will have to figure out ways to pay less. That usually means high copays, provider discounts, and denial of service.
October 12th, 2009 at 9:40 pmYummy! This bill has no public option, subsidies for those pulling the plug on America’s patients, and no limit to premium increases!
The cattle rancher senators are pushing a serious liability to the president’s desk! And the entire dem party will suffer if the bill reaches his desk in its current form.
Want to know the way to defeat the ninja? Insert the public option. Then tell me to stick it!
October 12th, 2009 at 10:00 pmI think you’re right, bilbo. The industry may have just overplayed their hand.
W/ or W/o reform, however, my beloved insurance companies are raising premiums between snack breaks- that’s because they suck at managing a pool of money! Nothing new there!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 12th, 2009 at 10:04 pmThe day the Baucus bill was released, I jumped for joy. I had jelly donuts and a pizza for dinner. I was in the best mood, I couldn’t stop running my fat mouth. The health stocks were up.
Today, my beloved insurance companies are angry. I thought their optimism would hold for this bipartisan bill.
It got me thinking, ‘If they’re angry with the bill that requires people to do business with the big boys, what’s going to be their attitude when the comprehensive, liberal bills gain traction?’
Will lobbyists commit suicide on the capitol lawn?
Oh, dear!
October 12th, 2009 at 10:11 pmI agree with the question guy that more details and information needs to be sent out to the public. Its not in the interest of MSM to actually inform the citizenry. They hate when people actually get all the information at once, make up their minds and get on with business. They like to slip tiny pieces out everyday so that people have to keep tuning in everyday. I would really like to be one of those people that go camping for 3 months and come back to find that the same damn stories are still in the news with 3% more information released.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:27 pm“Insurance Industry Report Promises To Increase Premiums By 111% Under Health Reform”
Amazing that the health insurance industry comes out with this report one day before Tuesday’s Senate vote on healthcare reform bill. This is nothing but a scare tactic and simply blackmail to the lawmakers to change their minds to vote against the bill.
A person with a brain knows that premiums continue to go up, the health industry continue to profit in a bad economy as well as in the good, lobbyists and health industry have control of the lawmakers’ pockets and the health industry continue to rob the uninsured and insured people.
So this last attempt of the “end is near” tactic by the health industry clearly demostrate that the love of money and profit have replaced the care for the American people’s health.
October 12th, 2009 at 11:08 pmCan we now conclude that Crazy Shelly (InsaneR-Mn.) doesn’t really need three months for the insurance industry to tell her how to vote?
October 12th, 2009 at 11:16 pmIf they pass the bill without a public option that we can really afford, and we have to pay exorbitant rates, how many of us will just break the law and not buy the insurance?
How can you buy when you don’t have the money?
October 12th, 2009 at 11:28 pmRe: Bobwurst @ 95:
She _is_ a serial killer when you consider all the people who have died horribly because her insurance companies have denied necessary coverage.
October 13th, 2009 at 12:07 amSKdeA says:
If they pass the bill without a public option that we can really afford, and we have to pay exorbitant rates, how many of us will just break the law and not buy the insurance?
Good point. They’re practically forcing us to put the public option in. It’s not like nothing is going to get passed. If the insurance industry is going to crank the rates on us anyways, we’d better protect ourselves by giving ourselves a choice to get off their crazy train.
October 13th, 2009 at 12:24 amIs that a promise or a threat. It sounds fracking extortionate, in either case.
I think the first order of business is to revoke the health insurance industry’s anti-trust exemption, and the second order of business is to order a DoJ investigation of collusion and price fixing.
October 13th, 2009 at 1:47 am.
SINGLE PAYER COSTS EVERYONE LESS AND COVERS EVERYONE!
.
October 13th, 2009 at 2:22 am#137 SKdeA,
October 13th, 2009 at 2:24 amObama would VETO it!
.
Ahhh…
… Nothing exemplifies America like Corporations!
Even the Government acts like one NOW!
.
October 13th, 2009 at 2:26 amThe health insurance companies have rigged the whole game so that they win no matter what happens, except the possibility that Congress will stand up to the companies. If they get their way, then Congress will be handing them billions of dollars from the health care subsidies. In exchange, they give up pre-existing conditions, lifetime caps and a few other things. They have already calculated the costs of all these things based on the current bill. Ultimately, they will agree to the bill if it is in danger of being amended with a public option which is their worst case scenario. Today was just another grab for more money. Once the bill passes they will have until 2013 to start rigging more things in the system. A public option will throw a monkey wrench in the companies plans and cost them billions of dollars. Those billions are going to come out of our pockets as well as our employers. Think of it as a license to commit a grand theft of mammoth proportions. Madoff is going to look like peanuts.
October 13th, 2009 at 3:05 ampafs2,
The Insurance Corporations have all but admitted that:
1) They are incapable of self regulating…
2) Have no intention of reigning in costs…
3) Look forward to doing mandated business with you in the future!
ANYBODY IN CONGRESS THAT THINKS THIS IS A GOOD THING …
… THINKS NOT OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS BUT OF THE CEO!
.
October 13th, 2009 at 3:41 amOops,
October 13th, 2009 at 3:43 ampafs2 should be pags2…
:/ sorry
.
Last Call… for Weiner and Kucinich Amendments
http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/issues/alert/?alertid=14168901
.
October 13th, 2009 at 3:51 amWHY DO WE NEED INSURANCE COMPANIES INVOLVED IN AMERICA’S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM? WHAT DO THEY CONTRIBUTE?
October 13th, 2009 at 4:57 amGood questions delafield. They used to contribute, now they just suck every available dollar out of the system that they can get their hands on. When I read your question it occurred to me that the insurance companies are what the right likes to say about unions: they may have been useful at one point in history but now they’re just bloated bureaucracies that steal from the everyday workers of this country.
It’s time to get rid of the insurance industry.
October 13th, 2009 at 7:03 amSounds like anti-competitive signalling to me.
October 13th, 2009 at 7:11 amOooooo, I like it. Treat them like the sleazy car dealers they are!
October 13th, 2009 at 7:56 amFirst of all I don’t understand why the Baucus Bill seems to be getting more of the press than the other 4 bills. But having said that and having hard copied the CBO Report it is intriguing that Baucus’ Bill still saves money.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:02 amThe AHIP has to be in deep denial to keep claiming it can raise premiums and that there won’t be any blow-back. How many U. S. families would even be able to pay $21,300 a year for premiums that still require co-pays, deductibles and the possibility of denials? They truly have made an excellent argument for single-payer government/public options.
The obvious answer to this bullying threat is a robust public option to provide some stiff competition. Let the insurance industry deal with that. Either they compete honestly or they pack up their bags and go home.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:27 amSince teh moolah has become ‘votes’ in a way then if your one of those that bow to fiat then you are a powerful person. Iganagni is the voice of the pool. Big pool of Mammon. 200 million americans health insurance policies worth.
The question that comes to me is; “Did the purchasers of these insurance policies make an actual agreement as to how their money is used to reresent them in government thru lobbyists? Who gave them this power of attorney with your money to go and arm wrestle the weak on capitol hill without knowing your interests..making a sockpuppet of you?”
October 13th, 2009 at 8:32 amI have this really queasy feeling in mah belly that in those many briefcases are indeed tube socks with faces and names sharpied onto them. John Public. Nancy Populi. Frank Luntz.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:34 amAnti-trust exemption. I forgot about that. Nothing like superior protection under the law.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:45 amKayInMaine says:
Actually, her mouth looks like that because she’s had the insurance company’s d*cks in her mouth for too long! LOL I can just imagine what her butthole looks like. *slapping my hand across my mouth* I can’t believe I just said that!
I’m shocked….SHOCKED, I say ;)
October 13th, 2009 at 10:48 amWhat is right and wrong is irrelevant so long as the insurance companies have a lot of money to throw around. There are some people in Congress that will do the right thing. But there are many others that have taken money from the lobbyists. The amount of money spent between now and when the bill comes up for a full vote is going to dwarf all the other $$$ spent this year for lobbying. The insurance companies are willing to spend a few million more when weighed against the billions they will make if there is no public option. We are not talking single or double digit billions, but triple digits.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:50 amTheir anti-trust exemption guarantees them a free ride and has for several decades. They’ve not had to compete on any basis. They don’t have to bother with minor things like customer service, they can lock in prices, collude on policies, dictate to the medical profession on service provision (rationing), etc.
October 13th, 2009 at 11:37 amEnough already! Having been on both sides of the health insurance industry in my working life, I have seen more than enough to convince me the time has come for the government to establish a SINGLE-PAYER system.
October 13th, 2009 at 11:50 amClassic. If you’re not going to get your way, use blackmail.
October 13th, 2009 at 12:11 pmGeez, what a suprise…NOT!!
October 13th, 2009 at 6:30 pmSince the insurance industry has already doubled my premium rates in the last half dozen years, I don’t doubt they’d be happy to do so again (and again), if they’re not stopped. gögüs büyütme
October 17th, 2009 at 4:29 amThank you for your sharing.!
October 17th, 2009 at 11:05 am