Health Outlays Still Seen Rising

[DrSteveB]

Source: Wall Street Journal

The health-care overhaul enacted last spring won't significantly change national health spending over the next decade compared with projections before the law was passed, according to government figures set to be released Thursday.

The report by federal number-crunchers casts fresh doubt on Democrats' argument that the health-care law would curb the sharp increase in costs over the long term, the second setback this week for one of the party's biggest legislative achievements.

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that insurance companies have proposed rate increases ranging from 1% to 9% nationwide that they attribute specifically to new health-law coverage mandates.

Democrats signaled they would ratchet up pressure on the companies. "Insurers are using the consumer protections in health reform as a cover for their own greed," said Rep. Pete Stark (D., Calif.), chairman of the House Ways and Means health subcommittee

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704362404575480161749608830.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLETopStories

[Vinca]

1. By 2014 there will probably be more uninsured than insured.

Maybe then they'll let single-payer come to the table.

[ixion]

2. well, gee, imagine that...

Who could have foreseen... :eyes: :puke:

[txlibdem]

3. Yeah

Remember the credit card legislation that took years to kick in: the credit card companies jacked up rates immediately and ripped everyone off.

Now with the HCR the insurance companies are jacking up rates and using the HCR legislation as an excuse, even though it only increases their costs by 3%. So why are people getting 20% to 53% rte increases.