HEALTH CARE EXTORTION?

America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the health insurers’ lobbying arm, is promising higher rates if they don't get what they want from health care reform.

For example, the analysis shows that the cost of the average family policy is approximately $12,300 today and will rise to:

* $15,500 in 2013 under current law and to $17,200 if these provisions are implemented.

* $18,400 in 2016 under current law and to $21,300 if these provisions are implemented.

* $21,900 in 2019 under current law and to $25,900 if these provisions are implemented.

In fact, between 2010 and 2019 the cumulative increases in the cost of a typical family policy under this reform proposal will be approximately $20,700 more than it would be under the current system.

Didn't we use to call this extortion?


On a side note, since the health care insurance industry was going to raise rates anyways, shouldn't we take their none to veiled threat/promise to jack up costs as evidence that what's coming out of the senate (no public option) isn't strong enough? For the actual "report" go here. For some analysis go here and here.

- Mark