Weiner: AHIP Report (unexpectedly) Makes Strongest Case In Weeks For Public Option

[ProSense]

Sam Stein stein

Weiner: AHIP Report Makes Strongest Case In Weeks For Public Option

One of the most high-profile progressives in the House of Representatives argued on Monday that a new insurance lobby report disparaging the Senate's main reform effort gives an unexpected and strong boost to hopes for passing a public option.

Appearing on MSNBC, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) was asked about the hot news of the day on the health care front: a new report commissioned by America's Health Insurance Plans, which concluded that, under the Senate Finance Committee's legislation, family premiums would rise more than $4,000.

While dismissing the report's findings as typical of an industry that seeks to protect its profits, the New York Democrat also made a fairly salient point. The analysis basically assumes that insurers will raise their rates because the finance committee won't make the pool of consumers more desirable for them. All of which lays out the logical case for providing consumers with a cheap and available alternative, set up and administered by the federal government.

"I think in a strange way and obviously they didn't mean this, the health insurance lobby fired the most important salvo in weeks for the option," said Weiner. "Because they have said clear as day... they'll raise rates 111%."

"Here is a tell," Weiner offered earlier. "If you have the health care industry complaining that we're going to raise costs because of these changes, it is then putting us on notice that we haven't put enough cost containment in the bill. You know if the health care industry themselves is putting out a whole report saying that, that should be a tell to the Baucus team that, you know what, maybe it is time to go back and revisit the public option.

more

[grantcart]

1. exactly - they closed the deal for us

[NewJeffCT]

2. but, but, but, how can that be?

you mean insurance companies would actually raise rates & hurt consumers? but, that goes against the free market ideal?

[IndianaGreen]

4. In capitalism, there is only monopoly. Free market is a mere illusion.

[MissMarple]

7. Exactly, there is no free market, the furor is about who controls the market.

And how much it is controlled. Gee, public good or bottom line, a quandary caught in never ending struggle.

[IndianaGreen]

3. Anthony Weiner RAWKSSSSSS

I love to watch him on TV making the case for a viable public option, give people the choice to go under Medicare before age 65.

[inna]

5. KR+14.

It's probably mostly wishful thinking though, but... it doesn't hurt to dream, does it.

[andym]

6. Agree 100% --I made the same point in an earlier thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8697959&mesg_id=8697959

"It also suggests that insurers will try to raise rates using their research report as justification, providing an even greater need to include a strong PO."

[BREMPRO]

8. they've showed there hand- profit over people- bad move on their part

good news for PO. I agree with Weiner 100%. There is no doubt that without a competitive public options the private insurance industry will continue to screw us. They just said so. They complain that there hasn't been enough focus on cost controls- comparative effectiveness- I agree but my understanding is that the sec of HHS will have lots of power to control costs and the reason they didn't make it so apparent in the rhetoric is they don't want to stir the fee for service crowd too much. Mad stakeholders everywhere means no bill. So easier to piss off the Ins. co's first. Robust PO is GOING TO PASS now.

[joeycola]

9. and as I said when it was first reported.--they make a case for single payer

[JBoy]

13. Agreed. This argues more for single payer than for a public option.

[hokies]

10. Man the insurance companies are stupid

Now the public option should not only be included in the bill but it should be available to everybody.

[wryter2000]

15. Welcome to DU

:hi:

Even Stephansnagglepuss said the same thing on the nooze last night. He has such a keen grasp of the obvious. :evilgrin:

[uponit7771]

11. Greed is blinding....

[xchrom]

12. i would certainly think that would be the case. nt

[TomCADem]

14. K & R

[AllyCat]

16. Linky not working. Want to post on FB.

Can you check and try again?

[Enthusiast]

17. Now, let us all campaign

hard for a strong public option. The insurance industry is just the first of many that need to be slapped down.

[Blasphemer]

18. Anthony Weiner.. on top of things once again!... nt