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Dems launch attack on insurers - 10/15/2009 2:56:33 AM

rulemylife

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Dems launch attack on insurers

The long-simmering tension between insurers and congressional Democrats is erupting into open warfare, with lawmakers stepping up their push to revoke a key federal protection for the insurance industry.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday called for an amendment to the health care reform bill that would remove the long-standing antitrust exemption for insurers, echoing a push by other Democrats to crack down on the industry.

“The health insurance’s antitrust exemption is one of the worst accidents of American history," Schumer said. "It deserves a lot of the blame for the huge rise in premiums that has made health insurance so unaffordable. It is time to end this special status and bring true competition to the health insurance industry."

.....Schumer's push comes on the heels of a controversial industry-sponsored report released over the weekend that makes the case that insurance premiums will go up by as much as $4,000 per family by 2019 if the Senate Finance Committee legislation is signed into law. The release of that report by the industry group America’s Health Insurance Plans sparked angry blowback from Democrats in both chambers.

Post #: 1

RE: Dems launch attack on insurers - 10/15/2009 3:20:28 AM

mefisto69

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It's about damned time. We can't turn back the clock and get "mutuals" but we can sure slap down these greedy fuckers.

(in reply to rulemylife)

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RE: Dems launch attack on insurers - 10/15/2009 3:26:47 AM

rulemylife

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Yeah, who would of thought it?

Congressional Democrats have finally found some backbone.

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RE: Dems launch attack on insurers - 10/15/2009 4:16:28 AM

SilverMark

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I hope they allow for cross shopping in states outside of the one a company operates in!....The monopoly of Blue Cross in some states doesn't allow for true shopping of benefits, and in some states it seems as though you have 2 choices and they are basically the same. State regulation of insurance vs. federal regulation stops the market from truly working.
There are so many things that the large insurers do amaze me, they will pay to treat cancer but will not pay for smoking cessation drugs? They will pay for endless visits to a physical therapist but, not pay for small surgical operations until you have exhausted the physical therapist option and the surgical option can cure the issue in less than an hour?
So many things to bitch about and so little time!....

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RE: Dems launch attack on insurers - 10/15/2009 4:27:33 AM

Louve00

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It's an attack that long ago needed to be launched. I read an interesting, telling link about Health Insurance Cartels (and its not hype, they really fit into the definition of a cartel!). Less of this and we might make some progress here.....

http://www.oddlytogether.com/2009/08/americas-health-insurance-cartels-are-the-problem/

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RE: Dems launch attack on insurers - 10/15/2009 4:27:50 AM

rulemylife

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quote:

ORIGINAL: SilverMark

I hope they allow for cross shopping in states outside of the one a company operates in!....The monopoly of Blue Cross in some states doesn't allow for true shopping of benefits, and in some states it seems as though you have 2 choices and they are basically the same. State regulation of insurance vs. federal regulation stops the market from truly working.

What is even more ridiculous is you cannot carryover coverage from the same company when you move to a different state. You have to re-apply to their subsidiary in that state.

< Message edited by rulemylife -- 10/15/2009 4:28:39 AM >

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RE: Dems launch attack on insurers - 10/15/2009 4:38:54 AM

kittinSol

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quote:

ORIGINAL: rulemylife

What is even more ridiculous is you cannot carryover coverage from the same company when you move to a different state. You have to re-apply to their subsidiary in that state.

Or: "Bureaucracy isn't a government monopoly." Amazing

.

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RE: Dems launch attack on insurers - 10/15/2009 9:36:12 AM

Sanity

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Dems are at war against all businesses, insurers are just todays' bogeymen, that's all.

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RE: Dems launch attack on insurers - 10/15/2009 9:43:20 AM

mnottertail

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Well, so long as they are a menace to society, it is a good thing to make war on them. Next the lobbying cartel, I can only hope.

Ron

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RE: Dems launch attack on insurers - 10/15/2009 10:38:10 AM

Thadius

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Afternoon,

While it can definitely be argued that the report that came out this weekend was biased, there was still some sense in what it stated.

I mean, if congress is going to force insurance companies to cover everybody (mostly the more costly patients that don't have coverage now), then they must also force everybody to purchase coverage (including those that don't need or want it, the cheap to cover). That way the cost of the expensive insurees can be spread across a bigger block of folks and thus keep costs down. Honestly think about it for a moment. If I can get away with paying a $200 fine once a year to stay off of the insurance roles, why would I opt in to paying monthly premiums? IF I and many others are not paying monthly premiums (because we feel we don't need coverage), who is going to pick up the added cost of those folks that are now thrown into the pool?

The math just doesn't add up. I cannot see how anybody can argue that by adding a huge unknown expense to the insurance companies bottom line, that premiums should and will come down, without also guaranteeing added revenues. The simple fact that there is an option to opt out of coverage, by paying a reasonable fine ($200-$400 per year, last I saw), almost guarantees that many folks aren't going to opt in. Basicly it comes down to congress needing to make the fine so much of a burden that the better choice is to buy insurance, or watching premiums skyrocket because of the added costs.

At least that is the way I see it. BTW, if they can reign in some of the other unfair practices along the way, and open up the monopolies that some companies have in particular areas to competition, by all means have at it.

I wish you well,
Thadius

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RE: Dems launch attack on insurers - 10/15/2009 11:18:35 AM

servantforuse

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Well first it was the banking industry,then General Motors. I guess it is about time for a government takeover of the insurance companies to. Maybe Obama should give his buddy Chavez a call to get some hints on a government takeover of all TV and radio stations while he's at it.

(in reply to Thadius)

Post #: 11

RE: Dems launch attack on insurers - 10/15/2009 11:23:53 AM

slvemike4u

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Lets not allow the facts to get in the way of our posting ,heh Servant...Last I looked neither "the banks" or GM have actually been taken over by the Gov't......pesky little details....

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RE: Dems launch attack on insurers - 10/15/2009 11:44:57 AM

Thadius

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quote:

ORIGINAL: servantforuse

Well first it was the banking industry,then General Motors. I guess it is about time for a government takeover of the insurance companies to. Maybe Obama should give his buddy Chavez a call to get some hints on a government takeover of all TV and radio stations while he's at it.

I am not saying that the government is going to take over the insurance racket. I am just suggesting that the proposed changes just don't make sense.

IF you want to insure everybody, and spread the cost out over the entire populace (to keep premiums down), there can't be an inexpensive loophole to get out of paying into the pool of the insured. If it is cheaper to opt out and pay a fine than it is to pay the premiums, which choice do you think those that feel like they don't need coverage are going to make? IF those folks aren't putting into the premium pool (the shared cost of insurance), what is going to happen to the premiums of those that need to stay in the pool? My gut tells me, those premiums will go up, simply by looking at how most businesses conduct themselves; any extra or new costs are passed on to the consumer.

I am simply stating that if the government wants to make sure that everybody is contributing to the insurance pools, they need to get rid of the loophole, or make the fine so damned big that it doesn't even seem like an easy way out. However, that may lead to other legal questions about the government forcing folks to buy something just for being alive. This should be a great lesson in civics and fun to watch as it proceeds.

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RE: Dems launch attack on insurers - 10/15/2009 11:49:15 AM

rulemylife

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Sanity

Dems are at war against all businesses, insurers are just todays' bogeymen, that's all.

Absolutely, business is always right in whatever they do and the government is always wrong.

No need for any type of regulation because all these businesses seem pretty trustworthy.

I mean look at all the happy smiling faces in their advertising.

(in reply to Sanity)

Post #: 14

RE: Dems launch attack on insurers - 10/15/2009 12:40:18 PM

Hillwilliam

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All I will say about this is there HAS to be a reason why the insurance companies are spending 1.4 MILLION dollars every DAY to fight the health care program. I'm willing to bet they arent doing it cause they care about little ole Me...or you.

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RE: Dems launch attack on insurers - 10/15/2009 12:56:03 PM

DomKen

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How is any of this relevant to ending the health care industry's anti trust exemption? The exemption was originally put in place to allow Blue Cross/Blue Shield to function when it was effectively the only insurer. Now that a multitude of for profit companies offer health insurance wouldn't it be wise to subject them to the same anti trust laws the rest of US businesses face? For instance why is it ok for health insurance companies to collude to set prices in the market place? Might some good healthy capitalist competition drive down premiums and improve the quality of health insurance? Or are conservative politicians not really for capitalism when it might mean their financial supporters profits would go down?

(in reply to Hillwilliam)

Post #: 16

RE: Dems launch attack on insurers - 10/15/2009 1:02:13 PM

slvemike4u

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What sense does it make to pose a question....and than tell us the answer Ken?

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Post #: 17

RE: Dems launch attack on insurers - 10/15/2009 1:04:37 PM

ThatDamnedPanda

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quote:

ORIGINAL: DomKen
Might some good healthy capitalist competition drive down premiums and improve the quality of health insurance? Or are conservative politicians not really for capitalism when it might mean their financial supporters profits would go down?

I'm guessing that'd be one a them there rhetorical questions or whatever y'all call 'em... ain't it?

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RE: Dems launch attack on insurers - 10/15/2009 1:10:21 PM

tazzygirl

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~eyes Panda

yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup!

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RE: Dems launch attack on insurers - 10/15/2009 2:29:19 PM

Politesub53

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Hillwilliam

All I will say about this is there HAS to be a reason why the insurance companies are spending 1.4 MILLION dollars every DAY to fight the health care program. I'm willing to bet they arent doing it cause they care about little ole Me...or you.

Ladies and Gentleman, we have a winner.......nice post.

(in reply to Hillwilliam)

Post #: 20

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