Newsmax absolutely ignores Health Insurance Greed Complex while trying to bash "Obamacare"

[zulchzulu]

I was clicking around and decided to dirty up my web browser cache with a visit to Newsmax. Big headline (insert scary music theme here):

"Premiums to Skyrocket Under Obamacare"

Aside from the usual claptrap in the article, what is completely ignored is that the Health Insurance Greed Complex are the ones who are being the assholes.

Some snippets give away the obvious:

Healthcare reforms that were supposed to contain costs will actually cause a sharp hike in premiums, they add. In fact, several studies indicate consumers' premiums could more than double next year if healthcare reform takes effect.

"So even though this bill tries to hide these costs as indirect taxes," Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, recently told a business symposium, "average Americans who purchase health plans, take prescription drugs, or use medical devices will end up footing the bill."

Aside from the obvious lack of proof on the accusation, we're to assume that "consumers' premiums could more than double next year"... oh wait, here's a hint where the reason is...

Another likely frustration for consumers: The premium hikes will take effect right away, while the subsidies and benefits in healthcare reform won't completely kick in until 2014.

OK. So the costs of insurance premiums will double next year from who? Obama's secret government Socialist Nazi Communist Gay Agenda Dijon Mustard Loving Comrades? Um... no, Captain Obvious. The same greedy players in the Health Insurance Greed Complex plan on doubling the rates BEFORE any legislated changes get enacted... four years before the plan changes occur. That's Obama's fault?

Why? Well, let's follow the money... More hints...

According to a recent study by Wellpoint, the massive Blue Cross/Blue Shield licensee that provides insurance coverage to one in nine Americans some older and less healthy consumers could actually see rate reductions. But those cuts would be more than offset by the spiraling premium increases hitting other insurance customers.

Based on provisions in the bill passed by the Senate Finance Committee – which is more conservative than the broad proposals put forth by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker Pelosi – Wellpoint projects healthy people in their mid-20s could see their annual premiums increase by over 150 percent in at least seven states: Indiana (199 percent); Kentucky (199 percent); Maine (172 percent); Missouri (199 percent); Ohio (199 percent); Virginia (175 percent); and Wisconsin (199 percent).

Again, these skyrocketing costs would happen FOUR YEARS before any new healthcare reform kicks in. OK, here's the excuses and threats from the pharma and healthcare insurance lobbyists:

Competitive Enterprise Institute senior fellow Gregory Conko called the bill "a recipe for exploding costs," adding: "The Affordable Health Care for America Act is anything but affordable.

(Note: CEI is a conservative thinktank with funding from pharma, insurance, soda and tobacco interests)

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Retail Federation, The National Association of Manufacturers, and seven other major associations sent a letter to Pelosi warning the legislation "falls short of the bipartisan goal of controlling costs."

(Note: All these are conservative lobbying groups with funding from pharma, insurance, soda and tobacco interests and you have to love the vague "seven other major associations"...)

Karen Ignagni, the president of the America's Health Insurance Plans trade group that lobbies Congress on behalf of insurance companies, called the proposal "a missed opportunity."

(Note: Jacking up healthcare premiums four years before any Obama healthcare revisions occurs will NOT be a missed opportunity...)

Article (click at your own risk): http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/healthcare_premiums_obama/2009/10/29/279190.html

When will we hear the belly-aching from the likes of the Newsmax types about how the insurance industry is planning on jacking up prices well before any new reform legislation takes effect?

It's like no one is seeing the Wizard of Oz behind the screen...

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. the sop for republicans is to create alternate reality whenever necessary