Republicare costs lives

[kpete]

Republicare costs lives

Feeling good? Lucky you. Got a mysterious pain somewhere? Uh-oh. Here go your savings.

The nation’s major health insurers are barreling into a third year of record profits, enriched in recent months by a lingering recessionary mind-set among Americans who are postponing or forgoing medical care.

The UnitedHealth Group, one of the largest commercial insurers, told analysts that so far this year, insured hospital stays actually decreased in some instances. In reporting its earnings last week, Cigna, another insurer, talked about the “low level” of medical use.

Yet the companies continue to press for higher premiums, even though their reserve coffers are flush with profits and shareholders have been rewarded with new dividends. Many defend proposed double-digit increases in the rates they charge, citing a need for protection against any sudden uptick in demand once people have more money to spend on their health, as well as the rising price of care. ...NYT http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/14/business/14health.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1305374463-HPHMm7tpbDVJwoPSYHn01w

One thing you have to admire: the chutzpah. These guys will try anything to justify greed. This is what John Boehner want to make sure you have in your future: medical care that makes you homeless and/or keeps you on hold for the rest of your life. If you live.

MORE:
http://prairieweather.typepad.com/big_blue_stem/2011/05/republicare-costs-lives.html

[W_HAMILTON]

1. Hmm, how about Conservative Care?

I take it that healthcare is definitely one area where most Americans would prefer "liberal" treatment :)