There is currently a Sturm und Drang over the just released hatchet job of a report by AHIP aimed at the Senate Finance Committee healthcare reform bill (aka the "Bacus Bill"). While some, such as TPM are covering the "they mislead us over the timing" aspect, which I could give less than a shit about, what I posit is, I hope AHIP's numbers on how much private insurance companies would have to raise their rates by if a public option reform package is passed are low-balling it. I hope they raise their rates even more. Why? Follow me below the fold...
Think about it.
Healthcare reform with a robust public option passes and goes into effect. In response, private insurance raises their rates higher than they were going to anyway.
It is of course clear how great a business model and marketing position it is, when you have a competitor down the street (the government) selling the same thing for less, to raise your prices. That will REALLY get customers flocking through your door, right?
So AHIP, I hope you are wring, and you raise your rates even more than your "report" projects if a robust public option reform package passes. The sooner that leads to a default single payer market share, the better.
So call their bluff on it. Time for some Jujutsu on this, because AHIP is way off balance and punching wildly. Time to use their own energy and take them down. They are doing our work for us folks, embrace the opportunity here.