Via the LA Times:
Anthem Blue Cross is telling many of its approximately 800,000 customers who buy individual coverage — people not covered by group rates — that its prices will go up March 1 and may be adjusted “more frequently” than its typical yearly increases.
The insurer declined to say how high it is increasing rates. But brokers who sell these policies say they are fielding numerous calls from customers incensed over premium increases of 30% to 39%, saying they come on the heels of similar jumps last year.
This is the result of not passing health insurance reform. The Republican Party and a few Democratic “centrists” would apparently like to see more of this.
Interestingly, the main plank in the Republican health care “plan” is a proposal to cap medical malpractice awards. The idea is that if you limit the amount of money damaged patients can sue for, insurance companies and doctors will charge less for their services.
But California, the home of Anthem Blue Cross, has capped medical malpractice claims since 1975. And research shows that that capping medical malpractice claims in other states has had no effect on insurance rates. (h/t Jonathan Zasloff)
It would be nice if we had a serious opposition party in this country.
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