The Insurance Industry's Senate bill analysis

Insuring Resources Commentary:
Sometimes it takes a practical analysis from an insider who cares about getting reform right to set the record straight. For those who read this blog routinely that is what I have tried to achive. You'll see my viewpoints are largely the same as those from AHIP. Yes I do a lot of consulting and authoring/editing of insurance textbooks for them but I also share with them a practical approach to health care reform as you'll see by reading below.

These points are valid, insurance premiums will increase because there is no comprehensive cost containment (comprehensive provider efficiency incentives) in the bill. What the bill does include is cost-shifting as Medicare reimbursement is reduced and high value health plans like mine are taxed. When this is enacted I'd hate to be a small business owner -- even those who get a subsidy will most definitely pay more than they do today.

Its really sad what an opportunity we are missing. Yes I called Sen. Feingold's office today, again, and he's voting in favor of your premium increase.


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AHIP Statement On Senate Health Care Reform Legislation
America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)
Karen Ignagni
December 22, 2009


Karen Ignagni, President and CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), released the following statement today on the Senate health care reform legislation:

“The debate before us today is not whether insurance market reforms are needed. In fact, health plans proposed and support a complete overhaul of insurance market rules and new consumer protections to ensure all Americans have guaranteed access to affordable, portable coverage. The critical policy questions are whether the current legislation can bend the cost curve and result in a sustainable system. While the bill makes important improvements in access and takes steps towards cost-containment, it lacks accountability to ensure that costs are brought under control. Moreover, this bill includes provisions that will increase costs for families and small businesses and disrupt the quality coverage on which millions of Americans rely today.”

Barriers to affordability:
A new $70 billion premium tax that will increase the cost of health care coverage for millions of Americans and fall primarily on small businesses and those who purchase coverage in the individual market.

More cost shifting to patients with private coverage as providers are forced to make up for hundreds of billions in reduced Medicare payments.

New market and rating rules that will increase premiums for individuals and small businesses with coverage today.

Disruptions for current policyholders:
New regulatory requirements and benefit mandates that go into effect beginning next year – before access provisions go into effect – that will cause major disruption for millions who have already enrolled in their plan for next year.

A new federal plan that would preclude many high-quality plans from participating and increase complexity in the exchanges.

Arbitrary caps on administrative costs that will undermine essential health care services, such as disease management and care coordination programs, investments in health information technology, programs to root out fraud and abuse in the health care system, and new administrative simplification requirements.

Major cuts in Medicare Advantage benefits beginning next year that will ultimately result in millions of seniors losing their current coverage.

“These issues need to be resolved if the country is to make health care coverage more affordable and put the system on a sustainable path. Health plans will continue to work to solve the problems that have been identified.”