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Health law likely to send premiums through roof, state saysBy Catherine Candisky The Columbus Dispatch Wednesday September 21, 2011 4:12 AM A new report projects that the cost of health-insurance premiums in Ohio could increase by as much as 150 percent — or drop by 40 percent — in 2014, when key provisions of the new federal health-care law kick in. The analysis was commissioned by the Ohio Department of Insurance to determine how the Affordable Care Act would affect premiums. It found that Ohioans who buy individual policies would have their costs rise the most. Rates also are expected...

"There will be zero tolerance for this type of misinformation and unjustified rate increases." That sounds like a stern headmistress dressing down some sophomores who have been misbehaving. But it's actually from a letter sent Thursday from Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to Karen Ignagni, president of America's Health Insurance Plans -- the chief lobbyist for private health insurance companies. Sebelius objects to claims by health insurers that they are raising premiums because of increased costs imposed by the Obamacare law passed by Congress last March. She acknowledges that many of the law's "key protections" take effect later...