America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) was allegedly on board with health care reform from the start, until the White House decided to start vilifying insurance companies in August; after that, as health reform began to coalesce amid that constant and exuberant vilification from Democrats of all stripes, AHIP criticized the cost-containment functions of Democratic reforms (remember the PricewaterhouseCoopers study it commissioned, claiming that certain provisions in the Senate Finance bill--but not the whole bill--would raise costs?).

AHIP stuck to that message today, claiming that parts of the newly passed Senate health reform bill would raise costs, instead of lowering them. See the full statement from AHIP President and CEO Karen Ignagni below:



"Providing all Americans with health care coverage is crucial for the country. Health plans support legislative changes that would provide guaranteed access to all Americans, with no pre-existing condition limitations and no health-status-based premiums. These reforms are essential to giving all Americans greater peace of mind and health security.



"At the same time, specific provisions in this legislation will increase, rather than decrease, health care costs; reduce coverage options; and disrupt existing coverage for families, seniors and small businesses - particularly between now and when the legislation is fully implemented in 2014.



"These issues can and should be addressed if health care reform is going to fulfill the promise of providing all Americans with guaranteed access to affordable, portable health care coverage."

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