House Votes to Revoke Health Insurers’ U.S. Antitrust Exemption

[swag]

Source: Bloomberg

By Lorraine Woellert

Feb. 24 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. House voted to revoke health-insurance companies’ longstanding exemption from federal antitrust laws, a measure that was part of a broader health-care overhaul now stalled in Congress.

Lawmakers voted 406-19 for the measure, which goes to the Senate. Current law lets insurers share data to help set premiums without fear they will be charged with federal price- fixing violations.

“There is one part of our reform package that is simple to explain, easy to justify, and 60 years overdue,” Representative Louise Slaughter, a New York Democrat, said during debate. “This will enable the Justice Department to begin aggressively enforcing the laws that protect the consumers against the cartel of health insurers who wield outsize influence in the health- care industry.”

The White House endorsed the measure, saying it would reduce health insurance costs. “Health-insurance reform should be built on a strong commitment to competition in all health- care markets, including health insurance,” said a White House statement.


Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ab4Hvwq9MP8o&pos=9

[annabanana]

1. Where it will join the 290 OTHER things the House passed...Tarantino'd

Stuck in the Senate log jam.

[Turbineguy]

2. The Senate will never go for it.

The GOP will filibuster to the death. Millions must die first.

[depakid]

6. Then put each and every one who'd vote FOR abusive health insurers on the spot

Tar and feather them with it at every turn.

[WriteDown]

3. Wow, pretty close to unanimous.

Now for the Senate.

[alstephenson]

4. Great news! It's about time!

[Lil Missy]

5. I'll celebrate when it passes the Senate. n/t

[Metta]

7. Mazel freaking tov. Common sense rears its head. ... a good karma move.

I ask that the obstacles to this becoming law be removed as you know best, (favorite deity). Thank you.

[Q3JR4]

8. I don't know if this is going to get anywhere

(you can't really trust the senate these days), but if they play it right it means that the republicans are going to have to stand up and vote with the insurance companies. That might be a good thing to do. It may not be very clear nowadays, but everyone seems to hate the insurance industry.

I can't think of a reason why.

Q3JR4.

[liberation]

9. This should be interesting...

... at least by requiring both houses to vote on this and go on record, we can now have a real census of who is with us and who is completely sold out.

I think this is fantastic. And no aspect of a society which is fundamental for the well being of its citizens and their survival should be except of anti-trust regulations. Natural Monopolies (and health care is one of them) should be dealt with accordingly, not protected via federal exceptions...

[valerief]

10. I wish we only had a House in Congress. The Senate hate Americans. nt

[JimWis]

11. That's great news. But like all the other replies here - will it ever

get through the Senate????

[TomCADem]

12. ROFL! Republicans Oppose, Oppose, Then Vote Against Their Rhetoric!