what's the BS about healthcare premium going up under HCR?

[peggygirl]

My premiums have already gone up twice and continue to rise and we don't have HCR or government run public option? I've only been to the doctor once this year following an emergency room visit for a profusly bleeding nose. Why don't the Dems just ask the question about how many insurance premiums have not gone up over the last two years?

[ixion]

1. Yeah, mine went up 9%

and I've never even used it. Every estimate I've read indicates my health ins costs will double, at the very least.

I'm unimpressed.

[John N Morgan]

2. The "increase" under HCR is caused 2 ways: you may not be able to by a plan as lousy as you have and

you may opt for an even better plan that will increase premiums.

[liberal N proud]

3. The boogie man wants you to think that it will really go up if reform passes

They want you to believe that this is nothing compared to what you will see.

The republican fear machine has focused the last year on health care reform.

[stillwaiting]

4. Since there are no real cost control measures in the HCR that Obama wants passed I agree.

However, if it doesn't pass they will STILL go up.

Mine have gone up 100% in the last 2 1/2 years and I am a healthy 37 year old.

They raised my rates close to 40% effective Sept. '09 and starting Mar. 1st they have raised my rates another 20%.

The wealthy elite's hoover vacuum is on super suck right now.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

5. REQUIRING a higher standard of basic insurance means policies cost more.

Increasing the limits (access to healthcare) or removing them altogether requires insurance companies to raise rates because they are incurring a higher risk by providing high limit coverage. Go shop around for "limitless coverage"... it ain't cheap.

As for the recent pre-HCR increase in rates the past few years? Insurance companies operate like large banks. They have all this money pooled (premiums) sitting around waiting to be paid out to claims. Idle money is never a good idea so the insurance companies take some of this pool money and they invest it in various things (stocks & bonds). This is a large source of revenue for insurance companies (and banks). It's technically their money so they can invest it if they want so long as they can still cover claims. If investments are going badly, the insurance companies loose money. The problem is they pass this loss of their investments onto the consumers. Recently, with all the heavy talks of reform, they're all in collusion trying to squeeze every last penny out of the public before being forced to reduce their profit margins to become competitive in a post-HCR market. All this is known as corporatism with a side dish of spiteful greed.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

6. They will be going up regardless

[peggygirl]

7. That's my point.

Anthem in Cali raised premiums by 39% with a CEO salary of 8 million and billions in profits last year. WTF!!! Pass the reform...price controls will come later.

[applegrove]

8. Read today's Krugman piece. It goes into that GOP lie.