Aetna CEO warns: Expect price hikes, bankruptcies, and policy changes

Hot Air ^ | MARCH 28, 2010 | ED MORRISSEY

[RobinMasters]

“If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor … If you like your coverage, you can keep your coverage.” Barack Obama repeatedly offered these promises to audiences across the US in campaigning for ObamaCare, but Ron Williams, CEO of Aetna, begs to differ. Williams provides health insurance to over 36 million people, and he has one message for Charlie Rose and the US — expect change:

Will insurance premiums go up?

The answer is yes, and some of the things that will drive those premiums are significant additional taxes the industry will ultimately have to pay in the first year.

The President said that this bill would not have any impact on people who already had coverage, that it was about the uninsured, that there would be no change. Will this legislation change the coverage of people who are already paying for it?

My perception is, yes, things will change. You might not have a plan that includes the exact same doctors. You might have plans that have richer benefits, and therefore you’re going to pay more for benefits you may or may not want. It would have been a better message to say, we’re going to make certain you maintain your eligibility.

[RobinMasters]

Ping

[crosshairs]

Single payer ping.

[Woebama]

Oooh goody. Price hikes AND bankruptcies.

[grobdriver]

"If you like your coverage, you can keep your coverage... unless those mean, greedy insurance companies change things. I have no control over what they do".

Yeah. Right.

[Red Badger]

“You can keep your coverage (if you can afford to pay for it)”...............

[Red Badger]

There's a hint of change in the air...................

[bert]

Obama lies, Business dies

[Cheerio]

Me thinks Ron Williams, CEO of Aetna. can expect to be summoned to Waxman's witch hunt along with CEOs of AT&T, Deere, et. al.

Anyone who has doubted this Admin and this Congress want to DESTROY PRIVATE INDUSTRY in America, also do not believe Obama when he promised he was out to TRANSFORM America.

[Cheerio]

Obama lies, Business dies

This would make a great 2010 bumper sticker!!!!

[FatherofFive]

And Ron is a Black man, so this is not just another a racist statement.

[subterfuge]

Aetna deserves every bit of scorn anyone can muster. It has NOTHING to do with ObamaPelosi-care.

[dennisw]

My take is Aetna will jack up home, automobile and life insurance rates to keep health insurance increases lower. So automobile owners and home owners will get screwed to pay for 0-care

Insurers can collude on rates. They have a special anti-trust exemption. The biggies can collude to jack up other rates (instead of health) to keep 0bama and his Oberführers happy

[TruthConquers]

“Obama lies, Business dies”

Good one.

or

Obama lies, America dies.

[RogerQ]

Obamacare is resulting in higher insurance costs. Repeal it and insurance costs will no longer be going up.

[LowTaxesEqualProsperity]

Obama legally forces the private sector to charge working people more money for less services.

Obama is the enemy of working people in this country.

[traderrob6]

Related...

http://exposingtheleft.blogspot.com/2010/03/jarrett-on-health-care-business-will.html

[throwback]

Yeah, you can keep your coverage just like power companies can keep burning coal if they want.

[Grampa Dave]

"Ron is a Black man, so this is not just another a racist statement."

[funfan]

Well if they do jack up home,auto and life policys at least everyone will feel it not just those that are not going to receive goverment subsidies to pay for their mandated health coverage.