Republican Aide Cautions Use of AHIP Report: Check Your Donations First

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http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/10/republican-aide-cautions-use-of-ahip-report-check-your-donations-first.php?ref=fpblg

We've been keeping a close eye today on Republicans using the new AHIP report to talk about the health care bill leading to rising insurance costs.

Spokesman Kurt Bardella of Rep. Darrell Issa's (R-CA) office told TPMDC that Republicans are sure to use the report as justification for opposing the plan. But he cautioned the minority party must "strike the right balance" between the report showing premiums would rise and "trying to avoid the perception they are doing the insurance industry's bidding."

"Any Republican that uses the report should double-check to see how much money they've received from the industry as that'll be a very easy rebuttal for Dems to hit back," Bardella said.

He views the report as "ample ammunition" for critics of the health care bill and said that it can be used by Republicans as I-told-you-so proof once a bill passes if premiums do rise over the next decade.

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1. Will they also pretend that premiums

wouldn't go up if there is no reform? Now whenever they raise the premiums they will blame it on reform.