White House Blasts "Distorted and Flawed" Insurance Report

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Health Care

5339106The White House is slamming a report from the insurance industry that claims a health care bill in the Senate will raise health care costs over time.

"This is a distorted and flawed report from the insurance industry and cannot be taken seriously," White House spokesman Reid Cherlin said Monday.

Late Sunday, the industry trade group America's Health Insurance Plans sent its member companies a new study claiming the health care bill before the Senate Finance Committee would increase the cost of a typical policy by hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars a year. The committee is scheduled to vote on the bill on Tuesday.

Supporters of Democrats' health care plans, however, have pounced on the report for its methodology. A spokesman for the Finance Committee said the study is "seriously flawed" because it doesn't take into account elements of the plan that would lower costs, tax credits to help people buy private insurance.

The White House agreed and suggested the insurance industry's report is simply self-serving.

"This so-called analysis appears on the eve of a vote that may eat into the insurance industry's profits," Cherlin said. "It conveniently ignores critical policies that will lower costs for those who have insurance, expand coverage and provide affordable health insurance options to millions of Americans who are priced out of today's health insurance market or are locked out by unfair insurance company practices."

Health Care for America Now, a liberal reform group, echoed that thought, calling the report "fake information."

"This is a transparent attempt by the health insurance industry to sabotage reform," HCAN National Campaign Manager Richard Kirsch said in a statement. "They're out to protect their money and their power, and they'll go to any lengths - including circulating fake information - to stop real change."

The senior advocacy group AARP also blasted the report, saying it is not "worth the paper it's written on."

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by babooph October 13, 2009 2:54 AM EDT: Ins co execs will have no problem -their "examiners" in the Philippines will be told to deny more claims,exec pay & perks will still come off the top & plenty will be left to lobby the media & politicos-family members of the "news" stooges are likely being paid big wads for giving short "talks" right NOW!!!!; Reply to this comment


by smac761 October 12, 2009 9:37 PM EDT: Notice the lack of specifics to this criticism. They can only resort to allegations agianst the group bringing the criticism. Funny, but everyone who is against this ungodly spending boondoggle that we neither need nor can afford is wrong. The CBO with their closer to honest costs analysis, the Congressional Committe that gives the true estimate in savings by Tort Reform, the republicans, those angry town hall participants, the Tea Party participants, the media that dares write any opposition, the medical community that hasn't inked a sweet deal by going along with the Pres, the blue dog democrats, wrong- all wrong. Who is right- the redistributionists, the class envy crowd, the socialists, those who believe we can get something for nothing, the unions (looking for a bailout to their Cadillac health care), the administration that doesn't truly care about reducing costs and improving quality, the bobbleheads that believe the President walks on water. Don't you get it America- this ruling class believes you are stupid. Don't prove them right. Let them know you do not approve and will cast your vote to remove all who are irresponsible.; Reply to this comment

by Questionews October 12, 2009 6:53 PM EDT

This story reminds me of my old dog Lou. The day I took him to the Vet to get fixed he kept looking at me like he knew what was going to happen. I thought to myself "Lou, if you could talk I bet you would say anything to keep your nuts from getting cut off."
I'm thinking the Insurance Industry is in much the same position as old Lou. Willing to say anything to keep from getting their nuts cut off.

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by velma179 October 12, 2009 7:28 PM EDT: by Questionews October 12, 2009 6:53 PM EDT

Ah ... give old Lou a nice treat.

As for the Insurance Companies... TRICK!

by velma179 October 12, 2009 5:49 PM EDT

Obviously there are those posting that have their feelings hurt by others being honest when they call the Insurance Industry LOBBYISTS liars.

They are not only liars, they are unconscionable and cynical, money grubbing liars. They have been spending millions of dollars every day (YOUR money) to defeat health care and health insurance reform.

Maybe some of you are happy with the way the Insurance Companies have raised premiums by 400% (and yes! that isn't a guess -- it is from PERSONAL knowledge of what I have paid!) ... also raised deductibles and denied folks the coverage they have PAID for when they need it most.

Maybe some of you want these VULTURES to rake in more of your money for inferior service...

I don't.

I want the government to enter into the Health Insurance business -- there is NO WAY they could do WORSE than what we have now.

Period!

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by velma179 October 12, 2009 6:06 PM EDT: I call it like I see it.

Thought I have NO IDEA where in heckluva you get your silly statement about me being an actuary or a seer...

I wrote what had already happened to me... do you read?