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Dour Industry Report Backfires

Dems, GOP alike have hard time believing Hail Mary predicting higher costs

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 13, 2009 10:14 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The health insurance industry report presented yesterday that predicts the reform bill will do little to stop rising costs appears to have backfired. Dems are up in arms at the timing and content of the “misleading and harmful” attack from their erstwhile ally in the effort. Sen. Jay Rockefeller used the report—which he called “politicking for corporate gain at its worst”—to reiterate his call for “inclusion of a public health insurance option,” Politico notes.

Dems hope the knife in the back will rally support behind the compromise bill making its way through the Finance Committee, and there has been talk of “legislative payback.” “It is an incredibly stupid strategic blunder,” one aide says. Still, insiders predict supporters of the legislation will have to prove that industry taxes and a neutered federal mandate will, in fact, not drive up prices over the long run.

A gavel and papers are seen at the seat of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont.
A gavel and papers are seen at the seat of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont.   (AP Photo)
Senate Finance Committee member Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., left, and committee chairman Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont.
Senate Finance Committee member Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., left, and committee chairman Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont.   (AP Photo)
Karen Ignagni, president of America's Health Insurance Plans.
Karen Ignagni, president of America's Health Insurance Plans.   (AP Photo)
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Because we don’t see comprehensive cost control in any piece of legislation, we’re looking at continuing those projected 6.2 percentage point increases. - America's Health Insurance Plans chief Karen Ignagni

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
bewilderbeast
Oct 14, 2009 12:01 PM CDT
Frightening how skew the damn world is: We're debating whether or not everyone should have healthcare. Do we let "everyone" vote? No, we leave it to those who HAVE plenty of cheap (real cheap for them) full coverage, and who are completely open to accepting money from the people who DON'T WANT "everyone" to have heathcare. Friggin' Orwellian!
cornelison
Oct 13, 2009 8:42 AM CDT
There's something that the insurance companies aren't telling you as well. Part of your increase in premiums will have to go their lobbyists in Washington.
schmidtkoff
Oct 13, 2009 5:33 AM CDT
corporate mega insurance companies - pure evil in that they want to maintain their stranglehold on the american public in order to continue their draconian policies to deny american citizens access to affordable health care. they are so in fear of losing their monopoly, their money, their cushy lifestyles that they would do anything and are doing everything to squelch these ‘impertinent’ upstarts. how dare they, these upstarts, want what other, more evolved countries provide?

 
Congress • health care costs • Senate Finance Committee • health care reform • Jay Rockefeller • Karen Ignagni • health insurance industry • America's Health Insurance Plans

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