Posted on 09/13/2010 5:29:50 AM PDT by Kaslin
"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 this month and does not deny that these impose additional costs on insurers. But she says that "according to our analysis and those of some industry and academic experts, any potential premium impact ... will be minimal."
Well, that's reassuring. Er, except that if that's the conclusion of "some" industry and academic experts, it's presumably not the conclusion of all industry and academic experts, or the secretary would have said so.
Sebelius also argues that "any premium increases will be moderated by out-of-pocket savings resulting from the law." But she's pretty vague about the numbers -- "up to $1 billion in 2013." Anyone who watches TV ads knows that "up to" can mean zero.
As Time magazine's Karen Pickert points out, Sebelius ignores the fact that individual insurance plans cover different types of populations. So that government and "some" industry and academic experts think the new law will justify increases averaging 1 percent or 2 percent, they could justify much larger increases for certain plans.
Or as Ignagni, the recipient of the letter, says, "It's a basic law of economics that additional benefits incur additional costs."
But Sebelius has "zero tolerance" for that kind of thing. She promises to issue regulations to require "state or federal review of all potentially unreasonable rate increases" (which would presumably mean all rate increases).
And there's a threat. "We will also keep track of insurers with a record of unjustified rate increases: those plans may be excluded from health insurance Exchanges in 2014."
That's a significant date, the first year in which state insurance exchanges are slated to get a monopoly on the issuance of individual health insurance policies. Sebelius is threatening to put health insurers out of business in a substantial portion of the market if they state that Obamacare is boosting their costs.
"Congress shall make no law," reads the First Amendment, "abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press."
Sebelius' approach is different: "zero tolerance" for dissent.
The threat to use government regulation to destroy or harm someone's business because they disagree with government officials is thuggery. Like the Obama administration's transfer of money from Chrysler bondholders to its political allies in the United Auto Workers, it is a form of gangster government.
"The rule of law, or the rule of men (women)?" economist Tyler Cowen asks on his marginalrevolution.com blog. As he notes, "Nowhere is it stated that these rate hikes are against the law (even if you think they should be), nor can this 'misinformation' be against the law."
According to Politico, not a single Democratic candidate for Congress has run an ad since last April that makes any positive reference to Obamacare. The First Amendment gives candidates the right to talk -- or not talk -- about any issue they want.
But that is not enough for Sebelius and the Obama administration. They want to stamp out negative speech about Obamacare. "Zero tolerance" means they are ready to use the powers of government to threaten economic harm on those who dissent.
The closing paragraph of Sebelius's letter to AHIP's Karen Ignagni gives the game away. "We worked hard to change the system to help consumers." This is a reminder that the administration alternatively collaborated with and criticized Ignagni's organization. We roughed you up a little, but we eventually made a deal.
The secretary goes on: "It is my hope we can work together to stop misinformation and misleading marketing from the start." In other words, shut your members up and play team ball -- or my guys with the baseball bats and Tommy guns are going to get busy. As Cowen puts it, "worse than I had been expecting."
Obama needs to be impeached, tried fot treason and brought to justice.
Hey Kathleen!
Your political analysis is no substitute for reality!
The voters have “zero tolerance” for your self-serving lies and disasterous policies!
If the First Amendment had stopped after the first five words, we would be much better off.
“Zero tolerance” means they are ready to use the powers of government to threaten economic harm on those who dissent.
Actually, anything the government does is backed by the threat of the use of
DEADLY force
for non-compliance.
Do what we say or we’ll kill you. That’s the essence of government, and the reason that it must be shackled hand and foot.
“The voters have “zero tolerance” for your self-serving lies and disasterous policies!”
We’ll see, but I’m skeptical.
“That’s a significant date, the first year in which state insurance exchanges are slated to get a monopoly on the issuance of individual health insurance policies. Sebelius is threatening to put health insurers out of business in a substantial portion of the market if they state that Obamacare is boosting their costs. “
Is she assuming she will still be in that position in 2014? I would reply back i wasn’t too worried about 2014 but she should be.
Kathleen Sebelius reminds me of the White Witch (for Narnia fans).
and that says it all...vote them out...all of them...
Obamacare. If you are sick now you can get insurance you can not afford in 3 years. Meanwhile if you do not need insurance you have to buy it. Wow! Such a deal.
Obamacare is like the bank loans. You can only get it if you do not need it. But it will cost more.
It will take years to get all the subversive leftys out of the bureaucracy even after we get a wipe out election
Cruella DeVille works, too.
Or the stepmother from Cinderella.
Tilda Swinton’s face registers emotions, however. But then, she’s a trained actress, so maybe it’s not fair to make the comparison.
Sounds like a real good reason to eliminate all unConstitutional departments and agencies.
Then we can reboot the McCarthy hearings:
"Are you now, or have you ever been a Communist?"
“Obama needs to be impeached, tried fot treason and brought to justice.”
And proven to be ineligible due to his dual citzenship, which makes him legally an usurper, invalidating ALL of his EOs and bills signed into law by him.
Eventually the insurance companies will go broke because they will not be able to carry the increased costs to them year after year even with rate increases because it will reach a point that the holders of the plans can't afford to pay the premiums.
And now the truth has become disinformation subject to action from the enforcers.
Eventually the insurance companies will go broke because they will not be able to carry the increased costs to them year after year even with rate increases because it will reach a point that the holders of the plans can't afford to pay the premiums.
And now the truth has become disinformation subject to action from the enforcers.
The new law puts Kathleen Siegheilius in charge of just about everything related to health insurance. All the more reason for Obamacare to be rolled back and the Dems to be defeated.
If this isn't tyranny, I don't know what it.
Excellent point
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