The White House is calling a report by America’s Health Insurance Plans “…self-serving analysis from the insurance industry, one of the major opponents of health insurance reform.”

Among other items, the report says:

• Health insurance premiums for the typical American family would increase by another $4,000 by 2019

• Premiums for individuals could rise by an extra $1,500 if the Baucus plan is implemented

• A proposed tax on employer-sponsored, high-cost “Cadillac” plans could result in higher premiums for many private consumers

White House spokesman Reid Cherlin responded:

This is a self-serving analysis from the insurance industry, one of the major opponents of health insurance reform.

It comes on the eve of a vote that will reduce the industry’s profits. It is hard to take it seriously. The analysis completely ignores critical policies [that] will lower costs for those that have insurance, expand coverage and provide affordable health insurance options to millions of Americans who are priced out of today’s health insurance market or are locked out by unfair insurance company practices.”

And this is a shock to anyone? The insurance industry is rightfully sweating bullets now. What is being proposed will create a sea change for them, and after years of tweaking the for profit system they have in place now, they are scared of what may be coming.

Why wait to the end of the process?

Strategery…

Get those consumers fired up just before the vote, put that uncertainty cloud out there again, and who knows, profit may reign king once more.

Just in case you are wondering what the mission of America’s Health Insurance Plans is, here is a blurb from their website (emphasis is mine):

America’s Health Insurance Plans is a national association representing nearly 1,300 members providing health benefits to more than 200 million Americans.  AHIP and its predecessor organizations have advocated on behalf of health insurance plans for more than six decades.

AHIP’s principal purpose is to represent the interests of our members on legislative and regulatory issues at the federal and state levels, and with the media, consumers and employers.  We provide information and services, such as newsletters, publications, a magazine, and on-line services. We conduct education, research, and quality assurance programs and engage in a host of other activities to assist our members.  All our programs are designed to serve our member organizations and to inform policy makers and the public about health care financing and delivery.

Our goal is to provide a unified voice for the healthcare financing industry, to expand access to high quality, cost effective health care to all Americans, and to ensure Americans’ financial security through robust insurance markets, product flexibility and innovation, and an abundance of consumer choice.

Explain to me again what a robust market is?

One Response to “America’s Health Insurance Plans Analysis Self Serving, White House Says”

1. Marvin Geer says:

   October 14, 2009 at 7:42 pm

   Health Care for profit is dead. All that remains is stock holders, Corporate Executive Staff, and lobbyist to raid deposits for thier investments and disappear. So much the better.