The Insurance Industry and Conservatives and Their Best Interests - The Seminal :: Independent Media and Politics

"As the health care debate moves forward, both in Congress and out in the public square, it’s going to be important to keep two things in mind.

First, businesses that have an interest in the outcome of health care reform, specifically the prescription drug industry (PhRMA) and the insurance industry (AHIP and others) will argue against any health care reform that threatens their profits. Every single time. Period.

So, whenever you see statements from these industries, or whenever they come out with a “concession,” as they did this week saying they would begin covering pre-existing conditions, keep the profit motive in mind. AHIP was shrewd to come out with their new position; they know not covering pre-existing conditions is one of the top reasons the public has such a low opinion of the insurance industry. But they are not actually interested in solving the problem. As Think Progress points out, nothing is mentioned about AHIP helping to control costs (read: lower their rates):

But while the insurance industry has shrewdly co-opted the rhetoric of universal coverage, they have not adopted the necessary affordability measures that progressives typically advocate for. For instance, while most progressives support community rating — everyone pays the same prices for coverage, regardless of health status — and a new health care exchange in which private plans are forced to compete with a public option, the insurance industry would be happy to see the government subsidize coverage for those who can’t afford it.

These costs remain the #1 cause of bankruptcy for Americans, but cutting those costs (by creating a public plan to compete with the insurance industry) would cut into insurance industry profits. And so, the industry continues its single-minded opposition to a public health care plan, because they know they can’t compete on the level playing field.

Same goes for conservatives. Their opposition to health care reform will be based on one thing - political survival."

You have three groups fighting to survive because they can't see--and won't look for--another way of "doing their business." Their goal isn't to win, but to keep "the other side" from winning.

And We're "the other side."