NYT: Loss of Competition Is Seen in Health Insurance Industry

[DeepModem Mom]

Loss of Competition Is Seen in Health Insurance Industry
By ROBERT PEAR
Published: April 30, 2006

WASHINGTON, April 29 — Federal investigators have found that a handful of companies account for a growing share of the health insurance policies sold to small businesses in most states, leaving consumers with fewer options and higher costs.

The Government Accountability Office, an investigative arm of Congress, said that the largest insurer had 43 percent of the market for small group coverage in a typical state, up from 33 percent in 2002. In nine states, the largest carrier — a Blue Cross and Blue Shield company — has more than 50 percent.

Small businesses and doctors also report a steep decline in competition in health insurance markets, a problem Congress is trying to address.

Within two weeks, the Senate plans to take up legislation that would make it easier for small businesses to band together and buy health insurance through trade associations and chambers of commerce. The main purpose of the bill, strongly supported by President Bush, is to make coverage more affordable.

In the face of soaring health costs, small businesses have struggled to find affordable insurance for their employees. The legislation would set uniform federal standards for insurance products that have long been regulated by the states. The standards would supersede state laws requiring coverage of specific services like cancer screenings in the individual and group markets....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/30/us/30insure.html

[rodeodance]

1. this is the dangerous S 1955 bill.

...Within two weeks, the Senate plans to take up legislation that would make it easier for small businesses to band together and buy health insurance through trade associations and chambers of commerce. The main purpose of the bill, strongly supported by President Bush, is to make coverage more affordable.

In the face of soaring health costs, small businesses have struggled to find affordable insurance for their employees. The legislation would set uniform federal standards for insurance products that have long been regulated by the states. The standards would supersede state laws requiring coverage of specific services like cancer screenings in the individual and group markets....

[lovuian]

2. The reality is GAO is right on... Its a Health Monopoly and rates

just go up and up... and the consumer gets less and less...

Universal Health for Everybody!!!

[caligirl]

4. And rates will do NO different with this bill, No limits on out of pocket

spending before the policy kicks in and no limits to premium charges. The groups selling the plans will charge any price they want and the state can't stop them. And the federal governemen won't be able to enforce any federal standards developed by a board this bill calls for. And of course the new insurance sellars will have a seat at that board, the consumer won't. Allows for additional cjarges for age, gender etc.

The bill is marketed as a way to give small business more choices and buying power. Instead it gives insurance companies even more control over price and treatment options.

S1955, claims vs. reality.
http://www.nationalpartnership.org/portals/p3/library/TheUninsured/S1955ClaimsvReality.pdf

[rodeodance]

3. U.S. Senate is about to gut guaranteed health insurance coverage:

I posted this on the Activist Forum


U.S. Senate is about to gut guaranteed health insurance coverage for regul Updated at 6:21 PM



Send a free fax to your Senators NOW: (other manadatory coverage will be dropped also):
The U.S. Senate is about to gut guaranteed health insurance coverage for regular mammograms.

Tell the Senate to vote NO on S.1955.

Protect coverage for mammograms.
Read More...
Go to:
http://www.acscan.org/site/pp.asp?c=cnJHJIPuB&b=1555475

OR CALL your Senators:

Call Your U.S. Senator

Call 1-888-NOW-I-CAN
between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST
to be connected to the office of your U.S. Senator.

When the receptionist answers the phone, simply tell him/her the following:
"Please tell Senator ________ that I am a state resident and that I want him/her to oppose Senate Bill 1955 and any other bill that would not protect cancer screenings."

It's as easy as that. Please be prepared to give the operator in the office your name and address if they ask.

A few additional talking points are provided below. Click here to learn even more about the issue and this legislation.

* Right now, there is legislation before the U.S. Senate that, if passed, would allow insurance companies to ignore state laws on insurance coverage. This legislation, Senate Bill 1955, would remove any guarantee of insurance coverage for vital cancer screenings, prevention, and treatments that are currently provided for in more than 130 state laws across the country.
* This bill would eliminate all of the American Cancer Society’s work in your state to guarantee insurance coverage for mammograms, colon cancer screenings, clinical trial participation, and other cancer screenings and treatments.


What other cancer screenings are at risk?

Insurance coverage for the following cancer screenings and treatments could be eliminated:

- Mammograms - Colonoscopy
- Pap smear - Clinical trials
- Off-label drug use - Prostate cancer screenings
- And more

[caligirl]

5. kick for the afternoon crowd