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AHIP Opposes Senate Health Bill

By Philip Klein on 11.20.09 @ 2:10PM

America's Health Insurance Plans, the industry trade group that has tried to remain in the good graces of the Obama administration and Democtrats in Congress on health care legislation, today issued a statement opposing the Senate bill. 

"The promise of health care reform is that it will provide all Americans coverage, allow them to keep their coverage if they like it, and bends the cost curve to put the system on a sustainable path," AHIP's president, Karen Ignagni, said. "These are the standards by which any reform bill should be judged, and the Senate bill falls short of meeting them."

Ignagni specifically attacks the $6.7 billion annual tax on health insurers and warns that the introduction of a government-plan will shift more costs to those who obtain insurance privately. She also criticizes the $117 billion in cuts to Medicare Advantage.

But AHIP is no fan of free markets, as it is pushing for an even stronger government mandate that would force individuals to purchase its product in exchange for agreeing to cover those with preexisting conditions.

The question is whether AHIP will actively begin to campaign against Democratic legislation, and even if so, whether it's too late for that to make a difference.