HMO stocks rise as public option wanes in U.S. reform

[kpete]

Source: Reuters

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of U.S. health insurers rose on Wednesday after efforts to overhaul the health system moved away from creating a government-run insurance plan long viewed as damaging to the industry.

However, gains may have been held back as analysts said new measures that would expand the Medicare government plan to younger adults and require insurers to spend a certain amount of premiums on medical costs presented new potential risks.

Senate Democratic healthcare negotiators agreed late on Tuesday to replace a government insurance option with a scaled-back non-profit plan.

The so-called public option has drawn sharp opposition from the insurers and worried investors over concerns it would have unfair competitive advantages and potentially be the first step in a government takeover of the health system.

Read more: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/HMO-stocks-rise-as-public-rb-2940203543.html?x=0&.v=1

[mbperrin]

1. Single payer, please.

Otherwise, political "friends" will continue to get their dollars out of our pockets.

(Wonder how they found their way to start with?)

[Waiting For Everyman]

2. That tells us who it benefits, then, doesn't it?

Looks like the market doesn't think their profits will be curtailed at all. They're crying all the way to the bank. Just like the banks did before them.

Yup, Dem reform is really tough alright! Good thing we have them representing us voters so well.