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Dems Lash Out at Insurance Industry

They move to eliminate anti-trust exemption

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 14, 2009 1:46 PM CDT

(Newser) – All-out war broke out between the Democrats and the insurers today, with Chuck Schumer calling for an amendment to the health care bill that would remove the industry’s long-standing anti-trust immunity. Schumer called the exemption “one of the worst accidents of American history,” blaming it in part for the precipitous rise in health care premiums. The attack follows a surprise industry report concluding that premiums would rise under the Baucus bill.

Harry Reid said the exemption should have been cut long ago. “There isn’t anything we could do to satisfy them in this health care bill. Nothing,” he fumed. “They are so anti-competitive. Why? Because they make more money than any other business in America. What a sweet deal they have.” Insurance officials dismissed the amendment as a “political ploy,” since insurers are already regulated by the states.

Harry Reid speaks outside the West Wing of the White House following a meeting between President Barack Obama and congressional leadership, Oct. 6, 2009.
Harry Reid speaks outside the West Wing of the White House following a meeting between President Barack Obama and congressional leadership, Oct. 6, 2009.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy introduced a bill to remove the antitrust exemption last month.
Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy introduced a bill to remove the antitrust exemption last month.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Senate Finance Committee member Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., gestures while delivering his opening remarks on Capitol Hill, Sept. 22, 2009, during the markup of health care legislation.
Senate Finance Committee member Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., gestures while delivering his opening remarks on Capitol Hill, Sept. 22, 2009, during the markup of health care legislation.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 43 comments
Snarfeh
Oct 14, 2009 11:58 AM CDT
lol! Wrong Teddy, F-you. And btw, I think it's nice you admire Fondue so much that you share part of his moniker. I like Fondue, too. Maybe I'll change my nick to FondueEveryone.
northeast
Oct 14, 2009 9:50 AM CDT
Unfortunately, someone in the GOP at some point decided that "free markets", "corporate welfare", and "protectionism" were not mutually exclusive ideas.
divetrader
Oct 14, 2009 9:42 AM CDT
Baucus is an insider. Why did they give that little man so much power to decide what was best for Americans. Who made him King?

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