Health care Monopoly is about to get even worse -- Big insurers merge

[Armstead]

Mergermania has returned -- and the economy is once again becoming more consolidated.

This time it's in the health insurance industry. Think you have too few choices for health coverage now? Just wait.

The growth and consolidation of industries has been one of the most destructive trends to society and democracy for 30 years. And it keeps getting ignored.

The big question is will the Democratic leadership finally wake the hell up and stand against such things?

http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/031027/health_insurance_antitrust_1.html
Reuters
Doctors' group questions health insurance mergers
Monday October 27, 7:20 pm ET


WASHINGTON, Oct 27 (Reuters) - The largest U.S. physicians' group on Monday sharply questioned the billion-dollar mergers proposed by two of the largest health insurers and said they should be "highly scrutinized" by regulators.

The American Medical Association said proposed multi-billion dollar acquisitions by Anthem Inc. (NYSE:ATH - News) and UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH - News) could lead to too much consolidation in the industry and add to the ranks of those without insurance at a time when premiums are already rising.

AMA president Donald Palmisano said in a prepared statement that the two merged companies would control more than a quarter of the U.S. health insurance market.

"The announcement of these two mergers on the same day should raise concerns that the country is headed toward a health care system dominated by a few publicly-traded companies that operate primarily in the interest of shareholders," Palmisano said.....

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[La_Serpiente]

1. That's it

I can't stand this. If Bush is re-elected, I'm out of here. I shiver at the fact that my life will be controlled by profitmongering corporations.

[Q]

3. Minor point: Bush* can't be 're' elected...

- Our health insurance outlays have skyrocketed. Much bigger premiums and copayments...and less coverage for common ailments.

- It can't get much worse...but it probably will before all is said and done.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

2. time for the return of shamans and greenwitches ...alternatives

holistic healers and greenwitches!...native american herbalists and biological medicine like maggots and leeches :bounce:

[Armstead]

4. I'll settle for some backbone transplants

Ar a time when healthcare crisis is emerging as a major issue, the competition within the health insurance industry dwindles.

At some point the Democratic Party has to start standing against this trend to making the entire nation (and world) One Bog Corporation.

[silverweb]

5. Prior to the 1950s...

...virtually all of our pharmaceuticals were plant based. Herbal lore and natural medicine have a very long and honorable history, as well as a sound foundation. There are many excellent texts and on-line resources for research. I know because I've been studying this very thing for a while now.

So many of our illnesses are lifestyle induced that we could make ourselves much healthier largely through proper diet and adequate exercise. Other illnesses are self-limited and will go away on their own.

Physicians' care and prescription drugs are necessary and valuable when rightly used. However, I fear we've largely become a nation of babies -- demanding immediate attention, exhaustive and expensive tests, and overmedication for the simplest discomforts.

Healthcare in this country is no longer about getting and staying healthy. It has become a supply-side, profit-driven industry that creates a demand, then fills that demand at inflated prices the industry sets.

I respect health care professionals in clinical care and research very much. I have nothing but contempt and disgust for the MBA CEOs who have made patients into consumers and healthcare into just another commodity to feed corporate and shareholder profits.

[Armstead]

6. This isn;t the only one...

Associated Press

Monday October 27, 7:01 pm ET

Insurers Anthem, WellPoint to Merge for About $16.4 Billion in Cash and Stock
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/031027/anthem_wellpoint_merger_7.html

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The two largest Blue Cross Blue Shield providers plan to merge in a $14.3 billion cash and stock deal, creating the nation's largest managed-care provider with 26 million members from Maine to California.

Anthem Inc., the slightly smaller of the two, will swallow California-based WellPoint Health Networks Inc., keeping the larger company's name but consolidating its operations at Anthem's Indianapolis headquarters, the companies announced Monday.

<snip>

Anthem and WellPoint have grown through acquisitions in recent years, with Anthem a particularly busy buyer, now owning Blue plans in nine states. WellPoint's acquisition of Wisconsin Blue Cross provider Cobalt Corp. won final approval just five weeks ago. WellPoint also operates Blue plans in Georgia and Missouri.

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[Armstead]

7. Kucinich has funny ears

Sharpton has funny hair

[Armstead]

8. One more

This is inmportant stuff. We complain about the brick walls that have been built -- and meanwhilke we ignore the new brick walls that are being built as we speak.

[Armstead]

9. One more

This is inmportant stuff. We complain about the brick walls that have been built -- and meanwhilke we ignore the new brick walls that are being built as we speak.

[tom_paine]

10. kick

:kick:

[mmonk]

11. What's good for the stockholders of health insurance companies

runs counter to the good of the people (unlike other industries where there is general benefit). Giving the health care industry to insurance companies isn't free market, its stupid. Government needs to provide some benefit to counter the costs or go to fee for service before we implode.