(Senator) Durbin to insurance companies: 'Party's over'

[sabra]

Source: Chicago Trib

Small businesses and ordinary citizens are suffering under the crushing increases in health insurance premiums, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said today at a press conference with Chicago-area business owners and residents meant to underscore the need for healthcare reform.

Durbin said that health insurance premiums could increase up to 60 percent in Illinois this year. Meanwhile, he said, insurance companies are experiencing some of their highests profits in history.

"The outrageous premium prices which they have been pushing on the American people in order to drive up their profits are unacceptable and unfair," Durbin said. "We're going to start watching them more closely, requiring them to spend a higher percentage of premiums going for actual medical care. The party's over."

He said the plan is to send President Obama a healthcare reform package in a matter of weeks.

"First we're going to end their anti-trust exemption," Durbin said. "Currently, they can literally collude and conspire to fix prices. It's legal. It's legal. And it's been that way for over 60 years. We're going to change that."

Read more: http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/03/durbin-to-insurance-companies-the-partys-over.html

[Oceansaway]

1. Durbin was anti Lieberman

before he was pro Joe...and look what that got us....

i don't trust 'dick' anymore....

[xchrom]

2. we'll see.

i don't think marrying insurance companies and government is going to spell much in the way of relief for the people.

[DrDan]

3. let me see if I understand this . . . . EVERYONE must have private health insurance . . .

how is that not a "party" for insurance companies?

[dflprincess]

12. The party is over - and now the orgy is beginning

before they had to invite us to attend; now we're being forced to attend as the sacrifices.

[rsmith6621]

4. Action Dick....Not Words

I am paying more for my health insurance policy at work and getting less.....My wife went to the Dr. 6 weeks ago and I just got the EOB...the visit cost $225. ...they ran some blood work that ran $396. and the insurance only picked up $150. ...I emailed my benefit coordinator and complained and told her I should cancel my plan as I pay $300 a month and since my wife and I only see the DOC 5 times a year we would be saving money in effect...


But I will REC this...

[salguine]

5. Insurance companies to (Senator) Durbin: HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAAA!!!

[w4rma]

6. Lets see if the Public Option is kept in the bill. (nt)

[Jkid]

10. I doubt that.

[nightrain]

7. knr. Good luck Durbin. It's needed. But we need real health CARE, not

forced payment to disease management insurance corporations!

[colsohlibgal]

8. Don't Hold Your Breath

Talk, talk, double speak, talk, talk......talk is cheap. From what I'm seeing the insurance giants will make out just fine with the bill unless drastic changes get put in late, and I would be shocked if that happened. If we suddenly had a senate of 62 members as enlightened and not bought off as Bernie Sanders yes but we don't.

[SlingBlade]

9. Party's over ?, More like.. Take your $70 Billion Dollars and run like hell.

What a bunch of Bull Shit

[orbitalman]

11. ...watching them more closely????

They need a GUN put to their heads.

[BonnieJW]

13. blah, blah, blah

NOTHING is going to happen.

[mbperrin]

14. Single payer would save money and provide coverage for all.

Kill the insurance companies.

[Arkana]

15. If I had any Photoshop skills

I would photoshop Durbin as the Punisher.

[izquierdista]

16. Time to self-insure

I don't know why more groups like small businesses, extended families, churches, alumni organizations, union locals, bowling leagues and bridge clubs don't get in on the act and offer health insurance to their members. I take that back, I do know. While all the aforementioned groups will offer a VISA cards and life insurance, those are easy from the actuarial perspective. The reason they cannot compete against the major health insurers is because of the Byzantine coding and billing practices. Medical professionals are equally as guilty in this system, for their first "retail price" bill is always some random (large) multiple of what they eventually agree to accept from the insurance company.

Time for single payer, Medicare For All.

[Amonester]

17. I'll believe their 'party's over' when I'll see it. n/t

[Juche]

18. I'll celebrate after it becomes law

I remember all the talk about investigating Bush during 07 and 08, and how it was always one buildup followed by a letdown.

So I'll wait and see.