By Bruce Japsen | Consumers in Illinois who lose their jobs and have no other option but to buy their own health insurance will get socked this year with premium increases of up to 60 percent, according to state records.
That group of consumers has been growing, as the recession has created more uninsured Americans looking for ways to protect themselves and their families. Now, Illinois consumers will get a glimpse into just how wide-ranging rate increases among individual health plans can be. The data, obtained by the Tribune, also provide a window into the overall trend of premium increases at large and small employers.
For the state’s more than half-million consumers in individual health plans, base rates will go up from 8.5 percent to more than 60 percent, according to state data. Base rates do not take into consideration health status, gender, age, place of residence and length of a policy — all factors that could raise premiums further.
Get the full story: chicagotribune.com/business
Yet the lunatic fringe (the Republicans) continue their blind support of these robber barons and their position that all is fine with our health care system.
Tom is a bit over the top, but makes a god point. How can anyone say that they are afraid of the government involved in health care when we have insurance companies that can do anything they want with no consequences. Can anyone honestly say they have no problem with Blue Cross deciding literally who lives and dies by how much they can afford?
well, we saw Bill Clinton sign NAFTA and send jobs to China without pushing for environmental protections and labor rights. As Ross Perot said: “I hear the sucking sound!” Al Gore didn’t want us to believe that his administration effectively trumped environmental law by making it possible for US businesses to move to places without regulations so he became the queen of green.
my prediction is: US businesses will start dropping health insurance perks just like they dropped pension plans and moved into 401k’s….. this is what Barack isn’t telling us but that’s my prediction based on history and what the democrats have done in the past….
It¡¯s weird just how many blogs the internet has on this topic! I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll ever have to come back, but it¡¯s great to know I found the one that provides some valuable info if this comes up for me another time.