WellPoint insurance hike becomes target for Obama

INDIANAPOLIS – Health insurer WellPoint blames the Great Recession and rising medical costs for its planned 39 percent rate increase for some California customers.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, who received the company's explanation in a letter Thursday, said "it remains difficult to understand" how premium increases of that size by can be justified when WellPoint Inc. reported a $2.7 billion profit in the last quarter of 2009.

WellPoint is the largest publicly traded health insurer based on membership and is a dominant player in the individual insurance market in California. Based in Indianapolis, the company runs Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in 14 states and Unicare plans in several others.

news.yahoo.com...

39 percent increase. That's insane.

BUt let's continue to do nothing because that works best. Who cares if they are are making a couple billion!

My insurance went up this year...but not by that large of a margin. I hope that doesn't come my way. It costs enough already.

Health care in this country is such a joke.

They are robbing us blind and many Americans don't even want to change it.

Worse yet, the politicians who are attempting to change things aren't even targeting the real problem in the matter: the insurance companies.


I've said it many times, and I'll say it again. Until we achieve single-payer universal health care in this country we will not be a true first-world nation. Quality of life is only for those who can afford it, and that number drops lower each and every day.

reply to post by drwizardphd

Worse yet, the politicians who are attempting to change things aren't even targeting the real problem in the matter: the insurance companies.

Oh but they aren't the enemy. They are just a business!! A business that provides NOTHING, makes NOTHING, and cares for no one but profits. They push numbers around on a computer and provide ZERO health care. They are a leech on the entire health care system.

In the very least, health insurance should be non profit. Many countries will imprison any person who tries to profit off of health insurance. Not here though...we are the USA!

Now, let me start off by saying this, I wish everyone could afford great medical and health coverage. I truly feel for the millions who can't afford it. Single payer insurance is NOT the answer. You can not present an argument to me based soley on FACTS that would change my mind. Single payer leads to sub par treatments and rationing, its common sense. You also have to realise you are still paying for it in the form of increased taxes. Now, to the real comment I want to make. Health insurers are a BUSINESS. They are in business to make money. So this particular company had a good quarter. Do you want every business that has a successful business model to be blown apart by Uncle Sam? Health insurance is a GOOD, not a right, its a good the same as food, gas, toys, computers. If you are not happy with the price of your insurance change companies or work towards some actual meaningful reform that doesn punish the majority of Americans to provide for the miinority and degrade the overall quality of the delivered healthcare.

reply to post by David9176


HEY Dave, where you been?

I heard about this to... At the end of the day its a free country, competition, market forces and all that good stuff. I mean wages are low, unemployment is high and the market reacted by... INCREASING PRICES

But seriously 39% is a huge raise...

FYI insurance is slated to increase 160% in the next ten years,

The last decade it increased 150% by many estimates-

Point being, INDIVIDUALS (corporations since they are) pay out 2.5 TRILLION a year as of late.

Just increase that 160% and we have what... 6 T in 2020...

Now if it does not stop there and continues inflating at this rate by 2030

we are well above the GDP of the nation. I am not saying it will happen, but that is the trend.

Anyhow, we are all for freedom here I guess

reply to post by Janky Red

HEY Dave, where you been?

I've been sick...getting better though.

FYI insurance is slated to increase 160% in the next ten years,

I think I'm getting sick again.

Just increase that 160% and we have what... 6 T in 2020... Now if it does not stop there and continues inflating at this rate by 2030

That's scary. What's even worse....that's only one of the MANY MANY problems we are looking at.

The sad thing is...nothing is going to change anytime soon.

Originally posted by SM2
Now, let me start off by saying this, I wish everyone could afford great medical and health coverage. I truly feel for the millions who can't afford it. Single payer insurance is NOT the answer. You can not present an argument to me based soley on FACTS that would change my mind. Single payer leads to sub par treatments and rationing, its common sense. You also have to realise you are still paying for it in the form of increased taxes. Now, to the real comment I want to make. Health insurers are a BUSINESS. They are in business to make money. So this particular company had a good quarter. Do you want every business that has a successful business model to be blown apart by Uncle Sam? Health insurance is a GOOD, not a right, its a good the same as food, gas, toys, computers. If you are not happy with the price of your insurance change companies or work towards some actual meaningful reform that doesn punish the majority of Americans to provide for the miinority and degrade the overall quality of the delivered healthcare.

OK, you listen to too much Palin, Backman or Beck.

Sub par treatment is a fallacy to PROTECT the second part of your argument (in bold)

You do not seem/care to understand that nations with universal coverage still have a private supplemental market that is very robust to cover any need you may want addressed.



Australia

www.combined.com.au...

New Zealand

www.southerncross.co.nz...

My point is don't bring that boogie bull, you can just say I don't think the government
should get involved or I don't want to be taxed.

Originally posted by David9176
reply to post by Janky Red

 

HEY Dave, where you been?

I've been sick...getting better though.

FYI insurance is slated to increase 160% in the next ten years,

I think I'm getting sick again.

Just increase that 160% and we have what... 6 T in 2020... Now if it does not stop there and continues inflating at this rate by 2030

That's scary. What's even worse....that's only one of the MANY MANY problems we are looking at.

The sad thing is...nothing is going to change anytime soon.

Sorry to here that, were you able to work thru it ?

Ya, I mean it really is very bad, its already 1/4 of our money...

Really people are not going to learn, I am not sure what to do about it, but I do not agree that it is the same as a ferrari or a burger.

I read Ben Franklins papers (book of a large collection of his writing, published, poor
Richards, etc...)

You know what he said?

Basically - "healthcare" needs to be addressed by the government, charity and private alike.

I had to return the book to the library, but I was floored to read that, one day I will
post the actual quote and see if people call Ben Franklin a communist. The book was checked out when I looked for it this week.

what other problems you have in mind?





[edit on 11-2-2010 by Janky Red]

reply to post by Janky Red

Sorry to here that, were you able to work thru it ?

Missed a day of work...suffered through the rest. Didn't go to the Doc. Can't afford it. No personal days since they were taken away and only one DAMN WEEK OF VACATION a year!!!

Really people are not going to learn, I am not sure what to do about it, but I do not agree that it is the same as a ferrari or a burger.

Oh but it is!!! I went to Walmart last night and bought a can of Blue Cross. Afterwards, I went to see my doctor's office and received treatment from my INSURANCE AGENT.

Cripes man. What are people smoking.

Basically - "healthcare" needs to be addressed by the government, charity and private alike.

I've actually heard that quote before. Don't know exactly what it is word for word but that sounds accurate. People act as if all the founding fathers were hardcore conservatives....that's simply not true.

One has to wonder how many people who have bought Glen Beck's book, Common Sense, actually read Thomas Payne's Common Sense, which is conveniently added in Beck's book, and seen how non conservative Payne really was?

I own that book btw....yeah I know....wasted money.

Originally posted by David9176
reply to post by Janky Red

 

Sorry to here that, were you able to work thru it ?

Missed a day of work...suffered through the rest. Didn't go to the Doc. Can't afford it. No personal days since they were taken away and only one DAMN WEEK OF VACATION a year!!!

Really people are not going to learn, I am not sure what to do about it, but I do not agree that it is the same as a ferrari or a burger.

Oh but it is!!! I went to Walmart last night and bought a can of Blue Cross. Afterwards, I went to see my doctor's office and received treatment from my INSURANCE AGENT.

Cripes man. What are people smoking.

Basically - "healthcare" needs to be addressed by the government, charity and private alike.

I've actually heard that quote before. Don't know exactly what it is word for word but that sounds accurate. People act as if all the founding fathers were hardcore conservatives....that's simply not true.

One has to wonder how many people who have bought Glen Beck's book, Common Sense, actually read Thomas Payne's Common Sense, which is conveniently added in Beck's book, and seen how non conservative Payne really was?

I own that book btw....yeah I know....wasted money.

Well we will all suffer and complain about TPTB, while covertly advocating their freedom to destroy the fabric of our society, our pocket books.

At this rate freedom will be a hologram of FREEDOM, hey and if your taxes are not forced but come in the mail, everything is good. That is what I see as very different
today as opposed to the founding era. You can't avoid all of the necessary costs if you want to live like a human being. But the fact that you or I cannot go out, stake some land, drink the water, hunt the game, cut down the trees for shelter. This escapes peoples consideration, it is radical, but now days life is a tax. In order to be effective you HAVE TO buy into the system. I could not maintain a job without a home, I would stink and be fired, the freedom people are advocating is gone for the most part.

If you had LAND you could be sick and have your wife tend to the little things while you recover.

Now days, you have no real choice, starving, homelessness, LACK OF HEALTHCARE is
not much of a choice.

I am not sure what to make of this idea I have stumbled across, but I would say it is a strange form of taxation without representation.

It may be far out but I am just stretching my mind a bit...

We are all beholden to the machine, we fund our bondage government and bills alike.
There is no longer two party NEGOTIATION which was a huge part of the founding fathers world. The choice is take it or leave it, the kicker is they all have the same "take it" one sided policies which is the fine print, which means NO NEGOTIATION.

Hope you feel better, you might get four stars for this thread

cripes is right

BTW- read some Franklin, the guys was fascinating, everything from his diet, to his thoughts on ego, making lists, winning arguments etc... I highly recommend it



[edit on 12-2-2010 by Janky Red]

reply to post by Janky Red

We are all beholden to the machine, we fund our bondage government and bills alike. There is no longer two party NEGOTIATION which was a huge part of the founding fathers world. The choice is take it or leave it, the kicker is they all have the same "take it" one sided policies which is the fine print, which means NO NEGOTIATION.

That's a mouthful right there.....and sadly....it's most likely true. Television only defends the rich. Where are all the stories about the middle class? The jobless? The homeless?

Screw them. Let's just worry about how many points Wall Street went up/down today.

Hope you feel better, you might get four stars for this thread

Lol...I got 2!!!!! But thanks for your unbridled optimism!!

BTW- read some Franklin, the guys was fascinating, everything from his diet, to his thoughts on ego, making lists, winning arguments etc... I highly recommend it

I may be wrong...but I'm pretty sure George Washington supported GOVERNMENT HOUSING.

People need to realize that the founding fathers didn't want a Fascist society. It's about individual freedom....which sometimes results in the collective.....which is MAJORITY.

Originally posted by David9176
People need to realize that the founding fathers didn't want a Fascist society. It's about individual freedom....which sometimes results in the collective.....which is MAJORITY.

Seems the company is losing its individual accounts.

When we join groups, which helps health insurance companies to make more profit, we're called good free marketeers. When we join groups to question why we're getting screwed by the corporation, we're called socialists/communists.

S&F .... I'm under the weather, too. Cold stuff going around. Swear I picked it up the last trip to the grocery store. Running its course. Fighting it off. At least I'm not competing in the Winter Olympics. Staying on sofa wrapped in wool blanket getting ready to watch it on tv. .... nice dream though, gliding gracefully on ice....better go check for fever....

reply to post by desert

When we join groups to question why we're getting screwed by the corporation, we're called socialists/communists.

Exactly. I've been called everything on ATS....from Racist, Communist, Progressive, Conservative, etc. I've always considered myself conservative....but I'm at the point where it simply doesn't matter anymore.

Don't we all want what is best for our families? Should we really care what name we are referred to?

S&F .... I'm under the weather, too. Cold stuff going around. Swear I picked it up the last trip to the grocery store. Running its course.

It's going around. My daughter gave it to me. Had a nasty sinus infection and was miserable most of the week. Finally getting over it now thankfully. Hope you feel better Desert.

[edit on 12-2-2010 by David9176]

reply to post by David9176


I S&F'ed ya though I don't necessarily agree with the single- payer system. I just got over that nastiness you probably just went through. Let me start by saying I am one of those without healthcare and to be honest cannot afford it nor will any agency pick me up due to a recently discovered back disability. I am trying to rely on SSDI although it rubs my ego raw to do so. i have always worked hard and been a proponent of you work to make your way,so to suck off the gov't teet, so to speak, now that I am unable to work meaningfully is a little bit of a reality check and to be honest an eye opener. What can I say, reform does need to happen though I am on the fence as to the extent. I would like to see portability and pre-existing conditions handled first and foremost, though I must say that is a personal bias on my part. But one point that alot of these arguements fail to address is the bill at the end of service. While granted alot of people pay into the thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars each year to keep themselves or families covered, have you seen a full unadulterated medical bill? Frankly while the profit margins by these companies continue to increase at our expense, take a look at a full hospital bill when someone goes into an emergency room with a broken limb. We are talking around 5K here. Definatley a smaller sum than your monthly premium or co-pay. The point is we need to look more at these hospitals and what they are charging out to insurance companies and even people without insurance. It is almost as bad as government contractors charging ridiculous amounts for standard items just because they can. Seriously 12$ USD for 1 syringe that would cost 7 bucks for a box of 100 at the supermarket pharmacy? Instead of hanging the noose on the tree for insurance providers lets go put medical care providers on trial for the assanine prices they charge.