FACT CHECK: Health insurers’ profits 35th of 500

Philadelphia Inq reports:
CALVIN WOODWARD
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON – In the health care debate, Democrats and their allies have gone after insurance companies as rapacious profiteers making “immoral” and “obscene” returns while “the bodies pile up.”
But in pillorying insurers over profits, the critics are on shaky ground. Ledgers tell a different reality.
Health insurance profit margins typically run [...]

Insurers finding less to like as tensions rise on health bill

Philadelphia Inq reports:
WASHINGTON – Health insurers insist they are still committed to getting a health-care bill passed this year. But all around Washington, people are wondering if – or when – the industry will change its mind and try to kill it.
The industry’s chief lobbyist, Karen Ignagni, said yesterday that insurers “can continue to make [...]

Health reform’s pre-existing condition

Democrats attack insurance companies and threaten to repeal the McCarran-Ferguson Act, which gives them a pass from federal antitrust enforcement.

Pelosi has blunt words for health-insurance companies

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told insurance companies yesterday that new fees, less regulatory protections, and possible competition from the government could result from health-care overhaul. She also mentioned the Judiciary Committee will be reviewing the McCarran-Ferguson Act. The McCarran-Ferguson Act gives the industry antitrust exemption that has protected the industry since 1945 and allows states to regulate insurance without federal interference.

400 people marched for healthcare reform yesterday in Philadelphia

The march was part of a national day of action, called “Big Insurance: Sick of It.”

Blue Cross of Northeastern PA reports $200M drop in surplus

The Times-Tribune reports that Blue Cross of Northeastern PA has reported a $200M drop in the nearly half-billion surplus they had at the end of 2007 – a 43% drop in 15 months.

Bus for prescription assistance program will make rounds in PA during July

The “Help is Here Express” bus will tour Pennsylvania, to help those who struggle to pay for their prescription medications.

Hospitals having trouble paying for care for the increasing amount of jobless people

The average wait time for one northeastern PA health clinic has increased from two to six weeks.

Healthcare organizations and others statewide weigh in on MCARE issue

Last week, Gov. Rendell announced that he would not seek renewal of the state-funded insurance subsidy program for doctors, known as MCARE, because medical malpractice lawsuits in PA have declined in the last decade.

Rendell says he won’t renew MCARE program

Says that due in part to a decrease in medical malpratice lawsuits, malpractice insurance help for physicians is unneeded.