Health insurance will only get costlier

Health insurance will only get costlier

I’m responding to the Fence Post articles from K.A. Worth on Feb. 17 and Mara Meyer on Feb. 18. Both individuals suggest that the new health care bill, which they claim most Americans are in favor of, will begin to level off insurance premiums and allow more Americans to have insurance. Well I have some disappointing news for both of you.

I currently own and operate a manufacturing staffing firm with 75 employees. Last week we received a letter from Blue Cross/Blue Shield regarding our health insurance renewal. This letter indicated a 56.5 percent premium increase beginning March 1. The insurance company had indicated to us that since the health care bill was passed by the Democrats, they are now forced to cover preventive care at 100 percent.

These services before the bill was passed were subject to a co-pay and/or deductible. Adult children up to age 26 are now covered, no questions asked. There is a long list of new mandates from this bill.

The insurance companies are not going to just eat these new costs to cover everyone at 100 percent. They are now passing these costs to you and me by giving us and who knows how many other businesses a 56.5 percent premium increase. The Democrats of this country keep insisting that all citizens deserve better health coverage — but at what price?

This law must be repealed. If it isn’t, the citizens of this country will no longer be able to insure themselves or their families. If you read the implementation timeline of this government bill and see what goes into effect in 2012 to 2014 you’ll come to learn why health insurance will quickly become a luxury rather than a necessity.

Paul Friedman

Mundelein