Without reform, health insurance rates to nearly double in 11 years

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Source: The Raw Story

Insurance rates will rise 94 percent by 2020 if cost-saving reforms to the US health care system aren’t enacted, a new study from the Commonwealth Institute finds.

The 90-year-old non-profit health care charity released an analysis of health care costs and forecasts that says employer-sponsored family plans will rise from an average cost of $12,298 in 2008 to $23,842 in 2020.

By contrast, the same coverage would have cost around $9,200 in 2003.

“Across the United States, middle-income individuals and families have been los­ing ground as the cost of health insurance continues to rise at a faster rate than incomes,” the report states. “Rising employer insurance premiums have forced many working fami­lies to trade off increases in their wages just to hold onto their health benefits. The expanding share of health insurance premiums paid b

Read more: http://rawstory.com/08/news/2009/08/22/insurance-rates-... /

[Bozita]

1. Michigan regulators approved a 22% increase for BC/BS last week

Effective 10/01/09.

[susanna]

2. Outing myself as an old fogey...

I remember the last time decent health care was a dream...oh, back in '93 or so. The powers that be shot it down. I told everyone I knew in the aftermath: "watch your premiums. You'll wish you had been more educated about this."

Fast forward to the recent past: a few have actually come back to me and said, "you know, you were right."

The river, it is slow.

[Sodbuster]

3. Wouldn't that be nice if it took until then.

I think if this does not pass, the industry will see this as their chance to raise rates as fast as they can.
Who would stop them if Congress is not willing to put some sort of stop to un-regulated rate hikes?

[EverHopeful]

4. We must start insisting on Single Payer

So when the Billionaires for Wealthcare insist on compromise we can magnanimously settle for a reasonable Public Option, no?

Edited to remove quote marks around "settle" because we really are settling. Is that why you thought I didn't get that it was satire?

[Stephanie]

5. You do realize Billionaires for Wealthcare is satire, right?

[EverHopeful]

6. what is it that I said

that led you to believe that I didn't get that Billionaires for Wealthcare is satire. It is the oligarchy's fear of single payer that I was trying to address and I thought the video said it far better than I could.

[ronnie624]

8. The fact that you have posted only a few dozen messages,

leads some of the posters here to believe that you fell off the turnip truck yesterday morning; as if you've never read a book or newspaper in your life, and you just discovered the internet but moments ago.

[EverHopeful]

9. well I apologize for not being clear enough

If sheer quantity is the criterion for credibility, then right-wing radio must be far more credible than I'd ever imagined. I've obviously been very confused ever since I used the early BBS internet precursors and since the early days of Prodigy. If only I'd devoted more time to posting comments than I have to reading, I'd be worthy. Perhaps then when I sincerely asked for advice about how my post could have been more clear, some volume poster would have offered some useful advice to help me improve my ability to express myself. Keep up the good work of protecting the oligarchy by shouting down and criticizing any new voices because they are unintentionally unclear and you don't approve of how they express themselves.

thanks

[ronnie624]

10. I apologize for not being clear, myself.

I have never, nor would I ever, judge another poster based on their number of messages. How could I? I know nothing about them or their experiences. Doing so implies that one becomes conscious of the world only upon discovery of this particular website, a foolish notion indeed.

I hope you find DU as valuable to staying informed as I do.

Good day to you, EverHopeful.

[tpsbmam]

7. The only bright spot in this

is that these assholes who are shouting the loudest and sporting their guns at town halls will be losing their health insurance. I want to be a fly on each of their walls when they do. Picture a fly letting out a "we told you so" whoop each time. And then I'll go back into mourning for the rest of us and for the country. 46 million without health insurance will look like nothing in the coming years if we don't get real reforms now.

Edited to add: "oh, and K&R"

[indypaul]

11. In addition there will be

additional co-pays and deductibles.

[lovuian]

12. In 11 years try 5 they are insatiable and eat and eat GDP

there will be single payer if not this year then next

its just a matter of time

[laughingliberal]

13. Reply to #4. That video Rocks!

If we could run that as an ad, we'd win this debate. That sign about rationing-so much more effective than just trying to tell people their insurance company is rationing. And thanking the teabaggers? Perfect!

[ipaint]

14. Oh good, what a great time for a mandate and no "robust" public option. n/t

It's amazing what people in this country have been conditioned to accept.