Doesn't matter. Republicans will continue to say that HCR will raise premiums. They are shameless liars. Facts and reality have no meaning to them.

I second GiggsisGod - took the words right out of my mouth. I'm reminded of Al Gore's recent SNL appearance where, instead of using facts to make his case for global warming, he'd instead go with the crazy - taping toy guns to trees outside of recalcitrant lawmakers' homes - since actual facts and REALITY make absolutely no difference to these people.

Allow me to jump on this bandwagon. Since when do McConnell et al care about facts? Since when do the wingnuts care about facts? The republican party has been taken over by the teabagging ignoramuses. Every republican in office is going to pander to their willfull ignorance and their desire to gin up anger over their own lies as cover for their hate of everything civilized.

Facts mean nothing to these people if the facts do not support their agenda. 1984 is twenty-five years behind schedule.

"suggesting that McConnell has it backwards"

Not a 'difficult' suggestion by any means. I've heard that Mitch McConnell spelled backwards is Laughy Taffy!

Look - I'm for meaningful healthcare reform (and that means SINGLE-PAYER), but this is a narrow & weak argument.

Most people get their health insurance through group plans, not individual coverage. While individual coverage rates amy go down, and do so significantly (which will be good for entrepreneurs), you are tip-toeing around how the bill will affect group coverage. Why?

I expect writing that is honest & straight-forward from you & the Monthly, Benen.

Are there any provisions in any of the reform bills to protect the consumers from rate hikes before all these reforms start, so that we avoid a similar situation as we've seen with credit card regulation?

Seems to me that if there are no protections, then what's to keep the insurance companies from raising rates prior to the reforms/exchanges/options starting in 2013, which in turn gives the Repubs their talking point for 2012 -- "see HCR did make rates go up".

Employer group plan increases are affecting us: 1) my son and I (I'm self employed, son is a student) are covered under my spouse's plan and our premium is going up $50 a month in 2010. 2) spouse's premium is entirely covered, but he's gotten only a tiny raise since starting at that company three years ago, due I'm sure to health care costs and the economy crashing.

No, McConnell is playing smart politics. If health care reform goes through, most of the reforms will be delayed a few years, and any cost containment measures will be gutted to get it through Congress. Private health care companies will then continue to raise premiums, because they can, and Republicans will blame reform. Democrats can try to reply that it would have been even worse without reform, but their evidence will be thin; they can point to studies, but the insurance industry will have their own studies.

Without a non-profit option in place, there is no mechanism in the bill preventing insurance companies from jacking up premiums and blaming the reform bill. This is especially true in states where one or two insurers dominate the market (And according to Business Week that's every state except Oklahoma, New York, and Florida).

Covering more people is better for everyone, and I support it. But individual and employer mandates with no public option make this a bonanza for the insurance companies.

I just completed the company meeting for our increased medical benefits cost. Tell me that Health Care Reform would not lessen our mnonthly cost! One benefit increased by 150% and that was to the pharmaceutical company.My monthly payment for the cheapest provided ,HMO went up 100%.Where is the public option now!

Actually, there is one company that consistently offers the lowest rates - as long as you have a clean driving record. USAA (for those who qualify based on eligibility) loves giving the lowest rate possible. In fact, everytime that I have been solicited to switch my insurer, I simply let them know that I have USAA coverage and they concede quickly. However, I did switch for a period of time when there were some blemishes on my driving record. USAA likes all drivers, but only loves safe drivers. ...

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