General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCalifornia health insurers to raise average rates 8% to 14%
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-0223-health-insurance-rate-hikes-20120223,0,7634380.storyCalifornia's largest health insurers are raising average rates by about 8% to 14% for hundreds of thousands of consumers with individual coverage, outpacing the costs of overall medical care.
The cost of goods and services associated with medical care grew just 3.6% over the last 12 months nationally, government figures show. But insurance premiums have kept climbing at a faster pace in California.
Insurers defended their rate hikes, saying they are based on their claims experience with the customers they insure and not just the broader rate of medical inflation. They also say that healthier members dropped out of the individual market as premiums rose and the economy worsened in recent years, leaving behind a group of policyholders who have higher average costs.
"We will continue to examine the fundamental issues at the heart of rising healthcare costs, including the prevention of chronic disease, increasing the quality of care and reducing unnecessary health expenses," said Darrel Ng, spokesman for Anthem Blue Cross, the state's largest for-profit health insurer.
flexnor
(392 posts)back to back to back for 3 years, the latest increase kicks in next month - yippie!!!! (gotta pay for that new palace they just built somehow)
not a single claim in that period
didnt go to the doctor once
please, dont make it more 'affordable' i can hardly afford it as it is
xchrom
(108,903 posts)So it's the fault of the healthy people this time.
SammyWinstonJack
(44,129 posts)Last edited Thu Feb 23, 2012, 09:22 AM - Edit history (1)
Blood sucking leeches and thanks to the "affordable health act" there will be be a whole new batch of victims soon enough.
What a shit country this is.
CAPHAVOC
(1,138 posts)SCOTUS puts ACA out of its misery it may destroy the Democratic Party. Why they did it is way past me.
SammyWinstonJack
(44,129 posts)industry rather than by the government?
So much for the very successful Medicare program.
CAPHAVOC
(1,138 posts)Not by Docs. But by paper pushers. I hope we get rid of the insurance companies and get medicare for everybody.
CAPHAVOC
(1,138 posts)Buying insurance after the fire kicks in soon. ACA is a disaster.
izquierdista
(11,689 posts)What's to defend? Does a dog have to defend why he licks his balls?