HHS warns of double-digit spike in health premiums

[Xipe Totec]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON – Eye-popping health insurance premium increases of up to 39 percent are not an exception but a worrisome sign of the times, the Obama administration said in a report Thursday.

Proposed premium increases by Anthem Blue Cross for Californians purchasing their own coverage set off a wave of criticism and forced the company last week to announce a postponement. Now, the Health and Human Services Department says similar pressure on premiums is being felt in at least six other states.

"This shocking increase isn't unique," said the report, being presented by Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at a news conference Thursday. "Across the country, families have seen their premiums skyrocket in recent years, and experts predict these increases will continue."

With his drive for health care overhaul bogged down, President Barack Obama has seized on the Anthem premium increases as Exhibit A to make his case for sweeping change before a bipartisan White House summit next week. California officials say 700,000 households face increases averaging 25 percent overall and as high as 39 percent for some.

The HHS report found that those numbers are in line with increases sought by insurers in other states — at a time of robust profit growth for the companies and a lack of competition in most states.


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100218/ap_on_bi_ge/us_health_insurance_rates

[Donnachaidh]

1. If this isn't a signal that HEALTH INSURANCE is a cancer that needs to be surgically removed

from the American landscape I don't know what is.

Medicare for all -- a national health service is the only thing that will save the american taxpayer.

[vegiegals]

5. But the WH wants to deal with them. Yes, medicare for all is the only solution!

[Lugnut]

14. Re: Medicare

My Medicare premium did not go up this year but my private insurer supplemental policy went up 32%. It's very clear to me where the problem is.

[vegiegals]

17. Bingo!!

[BumRushDaShow]

2. The state insurance boards allow this crap and need to be replaced. n/t

[Dr.Phool]

4. ?

:rofl:

It's not the Insurance boards that need to be replaced. It's the insurance companies, and the entire pathetic, corrupt system.

[woodsprite]

3. It shouldnt' be a warning to us, they should be warning the companies

that are screwing the public over. But, I guess it's kinda hard to rein the companies in when it's the CEOs of insurance/big pharma that hold the reins of our govt.

[apnu]

6. So long as the comapnies can make political donations that will never change.

Remove corporate personhood and this problem, and more, go away over night.

[DBoon]

9. that's *unlimited* political donations (nt)

[bulloney]

7. HELLO! McFLY! IS ANYONE THERE?

If this isn't a cry for reform, what is?

We keep hearing reports on the sheer extortion of our current health care system. But, god forbid, we can't change it because we have the best health care system in the world. Yeah, if you're a king from a foreign country.

It all comes down to the insurance lobby paying huge bucks to politicians to maintain status quo. And we're too stupid to see this and believe the BS that comes from the propaganda machine fighting against reform.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

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[pattmarty]

10. Jesusfuckingchrist, do "Medicare for all" and be done with this shit.

[Xipe Totec]

11. I think that is the point

Raising public awareness of insurance company abuses.

For profit insurance companies cannot be trusted; they have an inherent conflict of interest.

[pattmarty]

12. I know. I was being somewhat facetious.

[nightrain]

13. since disease management insurance corporations don't provide

any clinical services, I see no need for them.

[OhioChick]

15. Why is HHS warning us?? Shouldn't they be doing something about this? n/t

[Xipe Totec]

16. Like what? nt

[OhioChick]

19. Oh that's right.....as someone said up-thread...

Can't do anything when the "CEOs of insurance/big pharma hold the reins of our govt."

[Xipe Totec]

20. No, seriously, what can HHS do about it?

This is a legislative matter, not an executive one.

If you want HHS to do something, the first thing that needs to happen is to change the law. Right now, HHS has no authority to control insurance rates.

HHS is just a messenger here; don't shoot it.

[Romulox]

18. Like every rational corporation, they will stop jacking rates once you are a captive audience.

I promise!