Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius writes a good letter.

Yesterday, she posted the text of her letter to Ms. Karen Ignagni, President and Chief Executive Officer of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). The Secretary takes aim at what she states is misinformation from AHIP members to their enrollees. Specifically, it appears some members have taken to blaming health insurance premium increases on the patient protection provisions of the Affordable Care Act and the Secretary takes issue with that assertion.

Now, keep in mind that the Affordable Care Act patient protections are some of the items that most Americans absolutely agree with regardless of their stance on health care or health insurance reform overall. What are some of these protections?

  • Coverage for adult children until age 26.
  • Access to obstetrics care without “referral.”
  • Access to out-of-network emergency care.
  • Puts small business tax credits in place for employers.
  • Eliminates preexisting condition restrictions on kids.

My list is not all encompassing and the HHS has a great website explaining the provisions and when they come into effect.

These changes were supported by the health care industry (in hopes that grudgingly agreeing to fair changes would forestall reform) and are certainly popular with most Americans. But, without noting the precise changes and lumping it all into the much maligned boogey-man called derisively as “Obamacare,” insurers are suggesting health insurance rate increases are directly tied to these changes. Conveniently failing to note that many health insurers’ investment portfolios took huge hits after the 2008 financial crisis. In for-profit industries of any kind losses in one area need to be made up somewhere else.

In any case, the Secretary’s letter is a concise argument and well written. It is worth reading.

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