Blue Cross trade group blasts reform legislation

[cal04]

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/63107-blue-cross-trade-group-blasts-reform-legislation

Premiums will rise up to 50 percent for individual policies and 19 percent for small group plans if healthcare reform passes, a new report released by a major health industry trade group claims.

Sponsored by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) and conducted by Oliver Wyman Inc., the report faults reform legislation for lacking a strong individual mandate. Requiring healthy Americans to purchase reform would help offset costs for the millions of people with health problems who would purchase insurance policies under the new system, the study finds.

"Requiring insurers to guarantee issue coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions — without an effective mandate — means that people can wait to purchase coverage until they need it, causing premiums to increase for most new purchasers," the report claims.

(snip)
Many Democrats said the AHIP report proved the need for a public option. But because the public options being considered in various other versions of reform would have to generate revenue through premiums — and not federal funds — Blue Shield/Blue Cross claims a public option would suffer from a weak individual mandate as well.

"The government plan would have the exact same consequences," said Alyssa Fox, senior vice president, Office of Policy and Representation of BCBSA.

[eleny]

1. I'm sure that most companies would love to be guaranteed customers

This has all gotten so out of hand.

[annabanana]

2. They are just doing the same thing that the crap report did....

extortion

[Trillo]

3. It's outrageous. We already have THE Most Expensive Healthcare in the world.

Even the title itself says it, "trade group".

[Vinca]

4. Wait, wait, don't tell me. If we don't enact reform the premiums won't go up?

:rofl:

[Mimosa]

5. BC/BS is full of BS

If ever an institution has NO CREDIBILITY it's Blue Cross, the UN-nonprofit.

They make me sick in more ways than one. Dayum crooks.

[FiveGoodMen]

6. Thieves against anti-theft laws!

"How do you expect us to make a living?" asked one.

[Ruby the Liberal]

7. Are they completely tone deaf?

They release this on the heels of the flawed PWC "report"?

Yes, I am sure this will work out well for them.

:rofl:

[Enthusiast]

8. If what they say is true

it would necessitate a supercharged ultra powerful national public option. :rofl:

[Generator]

9. If that's true then paying the fee for not having insurance

will be cheaper than buying their crap plans-so there-you motherfuckers. I think bankruptcy looms for many-and I would prefer it myself as to giving these mofos $20,000 a year-because that's what they are talking about.