Why have state insurance regulators rubber stamped double digit increases for years?

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

Health insurance has been primarily regulated by the states. These increases have always been far above and beyond simple inflation.

Since we're shining a light on lots of yucky stuff about how government appears to be run, this is probably an excellent time to start asking some uncomfortable questions at the state level as well.

[rockymountaindem]

1. Excellent point

Also this goes to the issue of whether or not we can trust the government to regulate cost controls on the industry without the competition which would be provided by the public option.

[hobbit709]

2. Here in TX, the foxes guard the henhouse.

The regulators come from the very industry they are supposed to be regulating.

I doubt it's any different in most states.

[havocmom]

3. and if not from the industry, paid less then when they are with the industry

Local pols generally cheaper to bribe and it's not covered much by the media ;)

[secondwind]

5. Texas, tell me, why do Republicans always hold up Texas as a shining

example of free market capitalism, "get out of my way" type of mindset, etc.?

I am very curious to know this.

[hobbit709]

7. Because they've gotten away with it for a long time here.

They've privatized state agancies/services, eliminated consumer rights, instituted tort reform, etc. and sold it to the gullible public under the "getting government out of the people's hair" BS.

It's that kind of crap that lets the RW use god and country because most people here in TX have been indoctrinated with those ideas from an early age.

There is only self-interest, not enlightened self-interest on the part of the ruling class here.

[Thickasabrick]

4. Wasn't Maine suing to prevent insurance increases? I wonder how

that turned out. That was the only state I had heard of that was fighting it.

[TheKentuckian]

6. They are much cheaper and even more corrupt and corruptible

than their Washington cousins. I never get why people are all over the moon with local government. A handful are good and function but most make even a Republican DC look clean, well intended, and honest.

[TreasonousBastard]

8. Underlying costs have risen faster than inflation...

for many reasons, not the least is that every year there are new, and more expensive, techniques and treatments.

Medicare has been paying increases beyond inflation for years, now, but hospitals are still often billing insurance companies excessively ot make up for Medicare shortfalls.

Start looking at medical bills first, then how to pay for them.