Comments on: “Responding to the Signs of the Time with Sound Judgement and Resounding Justice!” by Reverend Hurmon Hamilton http://commonhealth.wbur.org/rev-hurmon-hamilton/2009/02/responding-to-the-signs-of-the-time-with-sound-judgement-and-resounding-justice-by-reverend-hurmon-hamilton/ CommonHealth Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:13:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jon Hurst http://commonhealth.wbur.org/rev-hurmon-hamilton/2009/02/responding-to-the-signs-of-the-time-with-sound-judgement-and-resounding-justice-by-reverend-hurmon-hamilton/comment-page-1/#comment-8302 Jon Hurst Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:29:21 +0000 http://commonhealth.wbur.org/?p=1067#comment-8302 In this very debate lies the future of health care reform in MA, and perhaps the future viability of thousands of small businesses in this recession. The reality is that purchasers such as the Connector's subsidized plans, the state's GIC plans, BC/BS of MA's plan with the MA Municipal Association, etc., are all looking at flat to low single digit percentage increases. Yet, small employers are still seeing double digit rate increases year after year after year. Small businesses are seeing double digit drops in their revenues, yet because the law and the marketplace discriminates against small businesses (including small non-profits), cost shifting naturally occurs. In other words, small group purchasers may indeed be paying for the savings others with buyng clout are today seeing. The Reverend is correct: everyone should be held to no more than a 2% increase. It is time to consider hearings at the Division of Insurance to press insurance rate freezes or cuts for small group purchasers across the state. Big health care needs to stop this great wealth shift from the payers (consumers) to the receivers (insurers & providers), and to start feeling some of the pain non-health care employers and their employees are feeling today. Without fair insurance rates, how can we continue to justify mandates? Jon Hurst In this very debate lies the future of health care reform in MA, and perhaps the future viability of thousands of small businesses in this recession. The reality is that purchasers such as the Connector’s subsidized plans, the state’s GIC plans, BC/BS of MA’s plan with the MA Municipal Association, etc., are all looking at flat to low single digit percentage increases. Yet, small employers are still seeing double digit rate increases year after year after year. Small businesses are seeing double digit drops in their revenues, yet because the law and the marketplace discriminates against small businesses (including small non-profits), cost shifting naturally occurs. In other words, small group purchasers may indeed be paying for the savings others with buyng clout are today seeing. The Reverend is correct: everyone should be held to no more than a 2% increase. It is time to consider hearings at the Division of Insurance to press insurance rate freezes or cuts for small group purchasers across the state. Big health care needs to stop this great wealth shift from the payers (consumers) to the receivers (insurers & providers), and to start feeling some of the pain non-health care employers and their employees are feeling today. Without fair insurance rates, how can we continue to justify mandates?

Jon Hurst

]]> By: MCC is a tax http://commonhealth.wbur.org/rev-hurmon-hamilton/2009/02/responding-to-the-signs-of-the-time-with-sound-judgement-and-resounding-justice-by-reverend-hurmon-hamilton/comment-page-1/#comment-8300 MCC is a tax Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:48:04 +0000 http://commonhealth.wbur.org/?p=1067#comment-8300 Your business received a 26% increase because of this law. You have people, who have never had insurance before, utilizing the system. The insurance companies and the states can only get so much money from them for premiums. The small biz community(under 100 lives) bears the brunt of the increases. Your increase is about average when compared to my clients. Your business received a 26% increase because of this law. You have people, who have never had insurance before, utilizing the system. The insurance companies and the states can only get so much money from them for premiums. The small biz community(under 100 lives) bears the brunt of the increases. Your increase is about average when compared to my clients.

]]> By: pj http://commonhealth.wbur.org/rev-hurmon-hamilton/2009/02/responding-to-the-signs-of-the-time-with-sound-judgement-and-resounding-justice-by-reverend-hurmon-hamilton/comment-page-1/#comment-8297 pj Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:22:38 +0000 http://commonhealth.wbur.org/?p=1067#comment-8297 2% increases??? I just received word that the small business for which I work is facing a 26% increase!!! My share of the total premium will exceed my "affordability" amount per the MA Health Connector. This so called healthcare reform is a joke. 2% increases??? I just received word that the small business for which I work is facing a 26% increase!!! My share of the total premium will exceed my “affordability” amount per the MA Health Connector.
This so called healthcare reform is a joke.

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