| As politicians line up to bash Anthem on their proposed rate increase of 22 to 30%, perhaps we should look at why they need these rate increases. CTNewsJunkie lists some of the people who have been speaking out about the proposed rate increase; State Health Care Advocate Kevin Lembo, whose office Gov. Rell tried to eliminate sent a letter to the Insurance department last week, urging them to reject the cut.
This week, Sen. Chris Dodd sent a letter to Anthem's President David Fusco urging him to reconsider the proposed rate increase. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal called on the Insurance Commissioner to reject the increase. Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy chastised Gov. Rell for her silence on the proposed rate increase, and now Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Joe Courtney have sent their letter Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield President David Fusco expressing serious concern about the proposed rate increase.
Yet Anthem needs to increase the money that it takes from those of us that have their coverage so that they can lobby the government to make sure that we are not given any new choices in where we can get our health insurance. According to opensecrets.org they increase their national lobbying from ten million dollars in 2007 to nearly fourteen million dollars in 2008. The forty percent increase in their lobbying expenses is greater than the measly 22 to 30% rate increase they are asking for here in Connecticut.
In addition, Anthem has registered in with the Office of State Ethics in Connecticut to spend $120,000 here for the year of 2009. You could buy a lot of health care for $120,000, or a few hot tubs. That money isn't coming out of Mr. Fusco's compensation. It is coming from the premiums that you and I pay them each month.
While some conservatives are concerned about big government taking our money and limiting our health care choices, I'm much more concerned about big businesses like Anthem taking our money to limit our health care choices. |
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