Senate Democrats Jump on Health Insurance Increases (Rats panicking over their own doings)

wall street journal ^ | 9/20/2010 | Janet Adamy

[tobyhill]

Senate Democrats are jumping into the fight over a recent round of insurance rate increases – and this time, they are singling out specific insurers.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus and Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller sent letters warning five insurance companies against telling consumers their rates are going up because of new mandates in the health law. “This level of misinformation is not acceptable,” the Democratic senators wrote.

Lots of volleys have gone back and forth since The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that insurers were partially attributing a batch of rate increases to the new law’s mandates.

[Doogle]

they’ll be blaming Bush by the days end.....

[nhwingut]

“Don’t you dare blame us”... LMAO!

[nmh]

They will simply use the INCREASES to vilify CAPITALISM. In their twisted thinking, THIS is what is wrong with CAPITALISM. Companies are GREEDY and want to EXPLOIT you. They should NOT make a profit.

People are seeing through this. You either get less coverage or your rates go UP to accommodate the communist money grab to support a communist way of life.

[JoanneSD]

While they are sending letters, the list should include all the people who will be paying more taxes, if President Bushs tax cuts are not kept

[griswold3]

The only satisfaction we could glean from this is ‘I told you so.’

At least Obama admitted that covering another 30+ million folks ain’t gonna be cheap. As always, somebody’s gotta pay.

[nmh]

“This letter specifically asks the insurers to explain how adding some new benefits – like allowing children to stay on their parents insurance until their 26th birthday – costs so much more than the Obama administration predicted. State regulators have said that some insurers seem to be guessing at the additional costs.”

Those that don't understand CAPITALISM would struggle with this. At best to cover MORE COSTS AND RISKS “guessing” via statistics helps them determine the addition costs. Only an nincompoop would believe that INCREASED COSTS and RISK would NOT INCREASE COSTS. If you intend to give them LESS COVERAGE and SHODDY CARE, then rates wouldn't go up as much BUT this is not how free enterprise works.

[bert]

Misinformation, disinformation and out right lies are reserved for senior members of the health care reform bill crafting committees.

Such action is forbidden by all others. Truth is also forbidden if deemed detrimental

[hal ogen]

Hey, you moonbat DIMs...Eat YOUR nobamacare. ONLY DIMs voted for this anti-American monstrosity. ONLY DIMS! Vote and vote often.

[Buckeye Battle Cry]

And the truth shall set you free (of your JOBS!!!!)

[tanknetter]

Someone should point out the fact (now well documented and reported in I. The business press) that Sarbanes-Oxley compliance costs companies 30 TIMES (30X) what Congress originally said it would.

[jnsun]

This IS exactly the process they wanted with the HealthCare Bill - that sad document puts the visibility, decisions, and power in the hands of the government. Even subconsciously that is what they want - it gives them importance; and with sufficient verbal gymnastics (and media propaganda) can always turn that into dumb publicly approved power. That is the definition of Leftism.

This, as opposed to the competitive, entrepreneurial options, chosen by the individual via the free market, where the politician is out of the picture.

Granted even the most benign and generous outward appearance, this is the subconscious aspiration of the controlling politician. The LEFT.

Johnny Suntrade

[God luvs America]

you vill say exactly vat vee tell you to say or you vill pay ze price- you sub humans!!!

[CPOSharky]

I'm sure that community organizers and ivory tower libtards know more about real world costs than insurance actuaries. /S

[PeterPrinciple]

Does anyone here remember the times when we had a lot of local mutual insuance? What would it take to stimulate growth of mutual insurance?

[GailA]

Can some one explain in simple terms this 1099 stuff. IF I as a consumer buy a $600 kitchen stove from Sears do I have to send them and the IRS a 1099?

[businessprofessor]

First it was thuggish threats from the administration, now the Senate. The Democrats are trying to suppress free speech. What are the consequences if health executives blame the health care bill? Will the Democrats imprison them? levy fines? hold them in contempt?, confiscate their excess profits? Has any other administration attempted to stifle dissent and speech among private businesses?

[CharlesWayneCT]

The message out of this is that we were right when we called Obamacare a “takeover” of the health care industry.

Now that the democrats passed their bill, they feel empowered to tell businesses what they can and cannot say, and threaten those who don’t toe the line.

[Texas resident]

The insurance companies should double down and put up billboards all over the country.
“Your insurance rate increases are the direct result of democrat party rule”. And have their pictures on display.

[Gilbo_3]

The insurance companies should double down and put up billboards all over the country.

since we dont know the extent of 'behind the scenes' arm twisting and threats, one can only imagine that the companies either want to stay in business or they are gonna take the beans for now, with plans to fold before the losses begin en masse...

if the companies want to stay alive, they must go 'all in' and call the bluff of these tyrants, to the point of willingness to 'hurt' them individually if necessary...

not sure that many regular business guys are that willing...but we can 'hope'...