Health Reform in the House | Fact of the Day In 2007, one in seven Americans under age 65 reported not filling a prescription in the previous year because they couldn’t afford the medication, up from one in 10 in 2003. (Center for Studying Health System Change) | | Follow Health Insurance Reform
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At the Time This Daily Dose Was Sent, Insured Americans Had Paid a “Hidden Tax” of $48,209,222,469 since January 1, 2009 in Additional Premium Costs to Cover Care for the Uninsured. Under the Microscope REPORT: HEALTH INSURERS BREAK PROFIT RECORDS AS 2.7 MILLION AMERICANS LOSE COVERAGE A report out today shows the five largest U.S. health insurance companies sailed through the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression to set new industry profit records in 2009, a feat accomplished by leaving behind 2.7 million Americans who had been in private health plans. For customers who kept their benefits, the insurers raised rates and cost-sharing, and cut the share of premiums spent on medical care.
(Health Care for America Now, 2/11/2010) INSURERS BLAME RATE INCREASES ON ECONOMY The report on profits has come out the same day Anthem Blue Cross sent a letter responding to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ inquiry. In the letter, the insurers blame their 39 percent rate increase on the economy. Read Anthem’s letter and Sebelius’ response here. Insurer WellPoint Says Economy, Medical Costs Behind Calif. Rate Hikes; Sebelius Unconvinced
Health insurer WellPoint is blaming the Great Recession and rising medical costs for its planned 39 percent rate increase for some California customers of its Anthem Blue Cross plan.
[L.A. Times, 2/11/2010]
Health Care Headlines 'Perverse Incentive' In Current Health Care System, Says Expert
Even as the health care debate turns to blood sport in Washington, some analysts say the debate is ignoring one of the leading causes of rising costs: the way health care providers are paid. [CNN, 2/10/2010] Other Insurers Raising Health Care Rates Too
Anthem Blue Cross customers may be hopping mad about their rate hikes, but members of other health insurers say they're also getting hit with sky-high increases. [San Francisco Chronicle, 2/11/2010] Minn. A-G Sues 2 Texas Discount Health Firms
Minnesota's attorney general on Wednesday sued two Texas companies she said falsely represented their discounted health care plans as medical insurance to thousands of customers. [Associated Press, 2/10/2010] New Jersey Is Added to Trial Program to Streamline Health Insurance Paperwork
As part of the discussion last year over how best to overhaul the nation’s health care system, the insurance industry promised to do its part by tackling the burdensome paperwork involved in paying medical claims. [New York Times, 2/11/2010] Pelosi Makes Her Case: A Majority Is 51 Votes
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is pinning the blame on Republicans for a lack of bipartisanship in Congress and plans to bypass them if they continue to oppose efforts to enact near-universal health care.
[Roll Call, 2/10/2010] Can Judd Gregg Help White House Save Health Bill?
Is Judd Gregg a tease or a real potential partner for President Barack Obama in trying to salvage some health care reform in this Congress? [Politico, 2/11/2010] EDITORIAL: Reform, Meet Anthem Blue Cross
The prospects for healthcare reform legislation in Washington are cloudy, but Anthem Blue Cross apparently isn't taking any chances. [L.A. Times, 2/11/2010] COMMENTARY: Boehner-Cantor Letter to Obama Outed As Delaying Tactic
When Republican stalwart Bill Kristol calls what GOP leaders are doing “silly,” that gets my attention. [Newsweek, 2/10/2010] | 