Schumer Says Anti-Trust Exemption for Insurance Revoked in Final Senate Health Care Reform Bill

[berni_mccoy]

Just now on MSNBC via Kos:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/10/14/793112/-MAJOR-UPDATE:-BREAKING:-SchumerLeahy-Take-on-Insurance-Antitrust-Exemption

MAJOR UPDATE!!!:

I just heard Chuck Schumer on MSNBC say that he believes the removal of the exemption will be included in the final bill, either in the merged legislation or as amendment on the floor. He said repeatedly that it will be in the final bill. FOLKS...THIS IS HUGE!

Health Insurance Companies will no longer be exempt from Anti-Trust if the Senate bill is passed.

[cdsilv]

1. If there is no PO, and a mandate, rates will skyrocket......n/t

[TheDebbieDee]

2. So, does this mean that the insurance companies will be treated

as monopolies, now? They won't be able to collude with one another to fix their prices/premiums?

[berni_mccoy]

4. Correct.

[Vincardog]

3. That and 1) remove mandates 2) Include immediate robust PO and you have my vote

[berni_mccoy]

5. I agree with you on 2). However, there is a very logical reason for having Mandates

but only with a strong PO. I can't say it any better than grantcart did:

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/grantcart/229

[Vincardog]

6. Do you think I don't have insurance because I want to unemployed and broke? universal single payer i...

the only real answer.

[librechik]

7. Woo Hooo! we can get our crack AG on the case and prosecute those white collar criminals

Oh wait!

huh.

Maybe if they tortured people!

Oh, wait...hmmm.

How about if they spied on all Americans and kept the data for unknown purposes?


er. No.

Thrilled I am. I'm sure we'll get some real action when that happens!