BlueCross/Shield notice regarding health care proposal

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I received this in my inbox at work today. We have BC/BS health coverage:


Health Care Reform Premium Impact for Illinois

Oliver Wyman?s Actuarial and Health and Life Sciences Practice recently provided an analysis for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA). The analysis estimated the effect of the proposed health care reform on insurance premiums and shows the total effect five years after reform is implemented. The intent of the analysis is to demonstrate the impact that these proposals will have on premiums in the states Health Care Service Corporation serves, to provide information that policymakers can use to better shape health care reform legislation and to urge members of Congress to carefully consider the consequences of the proposed legislation. Here are some key findings:

Health care coverage becomes less affordable
Premiums increase
In Illinois, there could be as much as a 119 percent jump
Broad participation is imperative
Young and healthy people must participate
People can't simply choose to buy insurance when they need it
As a result of this thorough analysis, we are recommending these changes to the current reform proposals:

Strengthen the mandate for individuals to obtain insurance, without which many people will not purchase coverage until they need it.
Allow greater age discounts for young/healthy people to address the expected increase in their premiums ? helping ensure they purchase coverage. We recommend the 5:1 age band included in the original Senate Finance Committee bill.
Lower the proposed minimum benefit requirements to the levels currently seen in the marketplace, since richer benefits mean richer premiums.
Eliminate the new $6.7 billion annual insurer fee beginning 2010, which will increase individual and family premiums substantially.
Include comprehensive medical liability reform, which the Congressional Budget Office states could save $54 billion over 10 years in physician ?defensive medicine? practices that increase costs through unnecessary services.
Thank you for your ongoing efforts to influence policymakers of these critical decisions.