‘Socialist’ Obamacare has been good for capitalist health insurance companies
Remember how that ’socialist’ President Obama took over the health insurance industry? Remember how the new health care law was a ‘government takeover’ of one of the largest segments of the U.S. economy?
Well, that socialized, government takeover has worked out pretty well for the big for-profit health insurance companies. They are enjoying soaring profits, and their executives received hefty compensation packages last year. After the health care law passed, Aetna’s net income jumped 40 percent over the same period last year. From the LA Times :
The top executives at the nation’s five largest for-profit health insurance companies pulled in nearly $200 million in compensation last year — while their businesses prepared to hit ratepayers with double-digit premium increases, according to a new analysis conducted by healthcare activists.
The leaders of Cigna Corp., Humana Inc., UnitedHealth Group and WellPoint Inc. each in effect received raises in 2009, the report concluded, based on an analysis of company reports filed with the Security and Exchange Commission. . .
“Most families are struggling to hang on. Employers are struggling to stay in business. And these guys were giving themselves huge raises,” said Ethan Rome, executive director of Health Care for America Now, a coalition of advocacy groups that prepared the report.
A spokeswoman for WellPoint said executives’ compensation reflects their effort to improve care and hit corporate goals. Representatives of the other four insurers either declined to comment Tuesday on the report or did not respond to questions.
The executive packages were calculated by adding base salaries, bonuses, stock awards and other compensation reported on company financial statements. It did not include the value of exercised stock options.
Last year was highly profitable for most of the country’s big publicly traded insurers. In the first two quarters of this year, profits for many insurers have continued to soar more than 20%.
Aetna’s net income jumped more than 40% in the second quarter of 2010 compared with a year earlier. Indianapolis-based WellPoint recorded a 51% increase in its profit in the first quarter compared with the same period in 2009.
At the same time, the companies have sought major premium hikes. In Rhode Island, UnitedHealth of Minnetonka, Minn., this spring sought increases of up to 15.5%. In Utah, some customers of Humana of Louisville, Ky., reported increases of 29%.
Health insurance companies and their Republican defenders continue to claim that health care reform has caused health insurance premiums to rise. That’s nonsense, of course. As the report makes clear, premiums were rising before the law passed. They’d been rising for the last decade. In fact, outrageous increases in premiums helped to shore up sagging support for the reform among Democrats in Congress.
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555 comments Add your comment
I'm here from the government and I'm here to help
August 11th, 2010
2:50 pm
granny godzilla
August 11th, 2010
2:46 pm
I’m here from the
government and
I’m here to help
There you said it….what your real agenda is
“What have they done for me?”
You are not worthy of help.
NAME ONE THING MONGREL. ONE! I only help those in REAL need not TIT suckers.
Some People are stupid
August 11th, 2010
2:51 pm
HEre to help-
You actually provided one thing they have done for you. IF you are on welfare, you probably work at a job that would pay you below the poverty line..like a Burger King…so someone on welfare probably has fixed your food.
I'm here from the government and I'm here to help
August 11th, 2010
2:52 pm
granny godzilla
August 11th, 2010
2:49 pm
I’m here from the
government and
I’m here to help
Hope and change taste like the nectar of the gods…
Head down to East Point and tell it to those people. Let’s see if they agree. Crow Lover!
WAR
August 11th, 2010
2:52 pm
i’m here
housing is not a right. the right belongs to us to have a government in place to help people (citizens) in need. that’s the reason why we are the greatest on the planet. we don’t leave our fellow countrymen to live like swine while we live like kings. that is unAmerican and unchristian. these people are not mongrels. they are Americans. i hope you can tell the difference.
granny godzilla
August 11th, 2010
2:52 pm
I’m here from the
government and
I’m here to help
So you can’t and won’t back up your piffle.
No Surprises…..You never do You are all talk
Time for you to change the subject by posting something with no
attribution that’s ugly and misleading.
Hurry up now, we are waiting.
I'm here from the government and I'm here to help
August 11th, 2010
2:53 pm
Some People are stupid,
Mexicans fix my food everyday. What’s your point. Oh, you don’t have one!
granny godzilla
August 11th, 2010
2:54 pm
I’m here from the
government and
I’m here to help
I suspect the folks in East Point would agree that you are all
smoke and no substance.
Come on big fella’ post something else nasty. We are interested in
how low you can go.
left wing
August 11th, 2010
2:55 pm
I’m here That’s due to how big a mess things were when Obama got in there. Do you remember what 2 years ago was like? I know that there was at least 1 congressman from SC (a republican; can’t remember his name) that was hording cash because he thought all the banks were going to fail. Car dealerships were folding because they couldn’t get credit. GM and Chrysler were both going under.
No, things aren’t good now. They could be a lot better (and would have been, if they had passed a bigger stimulus package). But here’s the difference between me (Keynesian) and the other side which I assume includes you (Austrian). Austrian economics says to let everything crash and burn. Let it fail because it was meant to fail, and screw all the people who will lose their jobs. Everything will rebuild in time.
And you know, they may be right that everything would rebuild in time. But if the Republicans and Austrian economics were in charge, unemployment would be at least twice as bad (the number of jobs from the stimulus plus Chrysler & GM and their subsidiaries) not to mention how many companies would have failed because virtually all of the banks would have failed. We’d easily be at 25% unemployment and a $12 Trillion economy, instead of the $15 Trillion economy we are now.
Thanks. I’ll stick with being a Keynesian.
WAR
August 11th, 2010
2:55 pm
i’m here
so people who receive government assistance are “tit” suckers? the farmers? the small businesses? the teachers? the corporations? the men and women in service? all “tit” suckers?
Some People are stupid
August 11th, 2010
2:56 pm
Here to help-
You said what has someone one the goverment every done for you. They fixed your food.
I'm here from the government and I'm here to help
August 11th, 2010
2:56 pm
WAR
August 11th, 2010
2:52 pm
i’m here
housing is not a right. the right belongs to us to have a government in place to help people (citizens) in need. that’s the reason why we are the greatest on the planet. we don’t leave our fellow countrymen to live like swine while we live like kings. that is unAmerican and unchristian. these people are not mongrels. they are Americans. i hope you can tell the difference.
OBAMA QUOTE. “We live in the greatest country in the world, please join me in changing it”.
So far, it’s changed for the worst and the hope was hype!
I'm here from the government and I'm here to help
August 11th, 2010
2:58 pm
Mongrel,
You can’t read or hear, so I understand your concerns. Should I call the doctor in Singapore and get you on the waiting list?
JackLeg
August 11th, 2010
2:59 pm
Does anybody remember ground hog day the movie, where you keep living the same day over and over. CT everyday falls out of the stupid tree and hits ever branch on the way down. Guess what she will do it tomorrow also… Let’s see if even a liberal can understand, they are making record profits because they are jacking their prices before Obozocare kicks in, in four years. That way when Obozocare forces them to double their prices we the public will not notice that much. The real facts are that if any loser in the Obozo adviser crowd wanted to help us, the people who pay for their extravagant life style, then they would have opened competition across state lines. That one thing, that would foster massive competition would have lowered prices. The dimacrats and Obozo don’t give a rat’s a$$ about you, all they care about is power and control of YOU…..
Tech Man
August 11th, 2010
3:01 pm
YourDaddyWasRight
August 11th, 2010
2:10 pm
The health of our nation is a function of how we take care of our health. We have the finest medical care in the world. Even they cannot perform miracles those that abuse their bodies. If we would take better care of our bodies they would take better care of us.
granny godzilla
August 11th, 2010
3:01 pm
I’m here from the
government and
I’m here to help
That’s it….none of your “facts” no “numbers” ?
Facts talk, bullsh!t walks…..hope you got your sneaks on
I'm here from the government and I'm here to help
August 11th, 2010
3:01 pm
left wing,
Who’s money was the stimulus money? And you want more? Boy, you just got another $26 Billion. Who paid for that? Singapore? You do know who pays the tab in the USA, don’t you?
granny godzilla
August 11th, 2010
3:03 pm
pick on old what’s his name at the moment for me for a while….
I’m going to see Baby G on the ultrasound, and that’s loads more fun than poking old what’s his name at the moment ….
WAR
August 11th, 2010
3:04 pm
America is founded on hope and change long before the two words became part of a campaign slogan. looks like you have lost one (hope) and don’t expect much from the other (change). Americans never lose hope and always fight for change. ask the british and confederates about that.
I'm here from the government and I'm here to help
August 11th, 2010
3:04 pm
WAR
August 11th, 2010
2:55 pm
i’m here
so people who receive government assistance are “tit” suckers? the farmers? the small businesses? the teachers? the corporations? the men and women in service? all “tit” suckers?
If your dumb enough to believe it, what the hell. TIT SUCKERS DO NOT PAY INTO THE SYSTEM. Get the difference? If not, your beyond even Obama HOPE!
I'm here from the government and I'm here to help
August 11th, 2010
3:06 pm
Some People are stupid
August 11th, 2010
2:56 pm
Here to help-
You said what has someone one the goverment every done for you. They fixed your food.
Not sure about the grammar but that’s Mongrel aka GG dept.
The food was not free, I paid for it. Which help create a job, that pays taxes.
Kamchak
August 11th, 2010
3:09 pm
Tick…tick…tick….
JohnnyReb
August 11th, 2010
3:09 pm
Johnny Reb: Do you really think somebody at the ajc “sets” all these comments?
Answerman, I thought it would be obvious I was referencing programming, not a live person making comparisons.
I'm here from the government and I'm here to help
August 11th, 2010
3:09 pm
granny godzilla
August 11th, 2010
3:01 pm
I’m here from the
government and
I’m here to help
That’s it….none of your “facts” no “numbers” ?
Facts talk, bullsh!t walks…..hope you got your sneaks on
MONGREL,
Can you say, numbers? Surely you do not think there are just as many people in Singapore than the USA. But then again with your lack of logic maybe you do.
Tech Man
August 11th, 2010
3:09 pm
Some People are stupid
August 11th, 2010
2:48 pm
If an insurance policy charged per child then that may be true.
However, group plans break down one rate for all children combined regardless of the number. Rates are, employee only, employee + spouse, employee + child(ren), employee + spouse + child(ren)
Some older Blue Cross plans used to charge one rate for 1 dependent and another for 2+ dependents.
Some indivdual plans charge a per child rate with a cap of extra charges on 3 or 4.
WAR
August 11th, 2010
3:10 pm
i’m here
okay… so, the people in east point don’t pay into the system because they are asking for government assistance? and what does paying into the system mean? taxes? civil service? what? i’m here… usually you make some pretty off the wall statements. some of them funny. some of them thought provoking. you’re wrong about the people in east point. they want help. and if we as Americans don’t help Americans then we are no better than the terrorists who want to destroy us.
I'm here from the government and I'm here to help
August 11th, 2010
3:11 pm
granny godzilla
August 11th, 2010
3:03 pm
pick on old what’s his name at the moment for me for a while….
I’m going to see Baby G on the ultrasound, and that’s loads more fun than poking old what’s his name at the moment ….
Are you taking that Delta flight to Singapore? They offer much better medical services and it’s cheap to. It’s a win-win for a dim-dim!
I'm here from the government and I'm here to help
August 11th, 2010
3:13 pm
WAR
August 11th, 2010
3:04 pm
America is founded on hope and change long before the two words became part of a campaign slogan. looks like you have lost one (hope) and don’t expect much from the other (change). Americans never lose hope and always fight for change. ask the british and confederates about that.
Sorry the last time I tried to pay my mortgage on Hope and Change they sent me a PAST DUE notice. Keep believing the BS cause you tab is OVERDUE!
I'm here from the government and I'm here to help
August 11th, 2010
3:15 pm
We all currently owe $120,102.00 just to balance the US budget.
WAR
August 11th, 2010
3:17 pm
i’m here
i think you are suppose to pay with some type of currency.
it’s been a pleasure and always remember children: movies with WAR themes make more money than romantic-comedies.
AngryRedMarsWoman
August 11th, 2010
3:19 pm
This is fun….WOOHOO
I'm here from the government and I'm here to help
August 11th, 2010
3:20 pm
WAR
August 11th, 2010
3:10 pm
i’m here
okay… so, the people in east point don’t pay into the system because they are asking for government assistance? and what does paying into the system mean? taxes? civil service? what? i’m here… usually you make some pretty off the wall statements. some of them funny. some of them thought provoking. you’re wrong about the people in east point. they want help. and if we as Americans don’t help Americans then we are no better than the terrorists who want to destroy us.
Man, you are stubborn. They’re help is just around the next corner but they will never see it, since they would rather wait in a line, they don’t have to wait in, for a “three letter word”! You think we should support them just because they ask. What generation of askers should we stop. 3rd, 4th, 5th or never?
Some People are stupid
August 11th, 2010
3:23 pm
Tech Man-
We agree on that.
Here to help-
You really are sounding stupid now….for example, those people in East Point were there to receive housing assistance…more than likely…they own a house…kinda hard to pay a mortgage while on welfare…and before you say they are on section 8, if that was thecase, they wouldn’t need housing assistance.
killerj
August 11th, 2010
3:23 pm
Do you see anything wrong with your medicare #,s ? ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha the obvious choice is not to play,that think tanks a joke, did not even know you looked at that crap ha,ha,ha,ha,now we know.cynthia its like your tax laws do you think they will stay the same?
barking frog
August 11th, 2010
3:24 pm
WAR 3:04 don’t forget the germans,japanese,italians,vietnamese, koreans,
spanish,mexicans, and canadians.
Soda Popinski
August 11th, 2010
3:24 pm
I’m impressed with all the talk of “tit sucking” on this board. I may have to get on here more often!
barking frog
August 11th, 2010
3:26 pm
ihftgaihth, take my share of the 13 trillion in gold at Ft. Knox and
pay my part off.
Some People are stupid
August 11th, 2010
3:27 pm
Here to help
Serious queston, do you have a job…you are on here quite a bit with no breaks…most people stop for a while just for lunch breaks..
AngryRedMarsWoman
August 11th, 2010
3:30 pm
@SomePeopleAreStupid – Sorry man, read the article, they were there for Section 8 housing slots…to get on the waiting list. They aren’t there for mortgage relief, they are there to apply to have the government pay a portion (or all) of their rent. Not judging, just saying.
“Thousands of people were lined up at the Tri-Cities Plaza shopping center, hoping to apply for a voucher from the East Point Housing Authority that will give them a discount on their rent.”
“The Housing Choice Voucher Program, called Section 8, subsidized the rents of low-income families living in apartments and houses that are privately owned. The federal program makes up the difference in rent that the poor can afford and the fair market value for each area.”
“Channel 2 Action News reporter Mike Petchenik said fights were breaking out and police had to stop people who were storming the door.”
“A sign on the door of the office explained that only applications were being handed out. “The housing authority will be issuing applications Wednesday, August 11, starting at 9 a.m. Everyone in line by 1 p.m. on the 11th will receive an application. … No Section 8 vouchers are available at this time. There are no public housing units available at this time. You’re applying for the waiting list only.”"
I'm here from the government and I'm here to help
August 11th, 2010
3:30 pm
Some People are stupid
August 11th, 2010
3:23 pm
Tech Man-
We agree on that.
Here to help-
You really are sounding stupid now….for example, those people in East Point were there to receive housing assistance…more than likely…they own a house…kinda hard to pay a mortgage while on welfare…and before you say they are on section 8, if that was thecase, they wouldn’t need housing assistance.
And I was going to take a break…
The East Point Mongrels are there for an application to receive section 8 housing. They do not have a mortgage, which would be even better if they did. But go ahead and believe they own a house. LOL
Try to get your facts before calling anyone stupid, dumb ass!
I'm here from the government and I'm here to help
August 11th, 2010
3:33 pm
Some People are stupid
August 11th, 2010
3:27 pm
Here to help
Serious queston, do you have a job…you are on here quite a bit with no breaks…most people stop for a while just for lunch breaks..
Been employed since I was 15, currently 53. What’s your point? Jealous?
ctucker
August 11th, 2010
3:33 pm
AngryRedMarsWoman, We are not discussing housing assistance on this post. You’ll have to go somewhere else to talk about that.
ctucker
August 11th, 2010
3:34 pm
I’m here from the government, Two things: (1) We are not discussing housing asst on this post and (2) You are not allowed to call any people “Mongrels.” Be civil or be banned.
AngryRedMarsWoman
August 11th, 2010
3:35 pm
@CTucker — Huh? Am I being kicked off the board for pointing out that what another poster said about that very same story was factually incorrect? Does he get kicked off for saying something about it first? Here is his post that I was responding too…
Some People are stupid
August 11th, 2010
3:23 pm
Tech Man-
We agree on that.
Here to help-
You really are sounding stupid now….for example, those people in East Point were there to receive housing assistance…more than likely…they own a house…kinda hard to pay a mortgage while on welfare…and before you say they are on section 8, if that was thecase, they wouldn’t need housing assistance.
I'm here from the government and I'm here to help
August 11th, 2010
3:35 pm
I’m living the American dream. All accomplished by two four letter words, which most Mongrels can’t comprehend.
HARD WORK!!!
I'm here from the government and I'm here to help
August 11th, 2010
3:37 pm
ctucker
August 11th, 2010
3:34 pm
I’m here from the government, Two things: (1) We are not discussing housing asst on this post and (2) You are not allowed to call any people “Mongrels.” Be civil or be banned.
Oh, only Obama can use that word. I get it CT! Censorship is alive!
Some People are stupid
August 11th, 2010
3:37 pm
Angry Red MArs Woman- You were right. I stand corrected/
Here to Help-
I wasn’t calling you stupid. I was saying your last couple of post you were sounding stupid…forgive me for not putting it in better context…your last couple of post were reflectng of stupidity.
I’ve been employed since 16, im 28 making 6 figures…not jealous at all guy. But seeing how you are 53 does give me insight why you see the world as you do
Kameo
August 11th, 2010
3:38 pm
CT—
Why is that the Great Hope Obama is allowed to call other people “mongrel”
but posters cannot? Just sayin.
I'm here from the government and I'm here to help
August 11th, 2010
3:39 pm
ctucker
August 11th, 2010
3:34 pm
I’m here from the government, Two things: (1) We are not discussing housing asst on this post and (2) You are not allowed to call any people “Mongrels.” Be civil or be banned.
I know what you mean GF. It is embarrassing to see people fight over an application to receive section 8 housing. What has Obama done for the people to cause these riots?
I'm here from the government and I'm here to help
August 11th, 2010
3:41 pm
’ve been employed since 16, im 28 making 6 figures…not jealous at all guy. But seeing how you are 53 does give me insight why you see the world as you do
And your age tells me volumes, since when I was young and stupid I voted Democrat once. Does the six figures include a decimal point.
AngryRedMarsWoman
August 11th, 2010
3:42 pm
See, CTucker, even SomePeopleAreStupid thanked me for posting that to correct his error. I didn’t do anything wrong and you popped off at me. I might point out that even Granny Godzilla spoke of the people in East Point earlier in the blog…did you yell at her? Or my buddy WAR, who posted about it? If the ideal is for everyone to be treated the same, then those others need to be similarly spanked or I am due an apology for the beat-down. Your choice.