Hospital Workers, Facing Layoffs, Launch Counterattack On Executives

From the New York Times:

The nation’s major health insurers are barreling into a third year of record profits, enriched in recent months by a lingering recessiona­ry mind-set among Americans who are postponing or forgoing medical care.

The UnitedHeal­th Group, one of the largest commercial insurers, told analysts that so far this year, insured hospital stays actually decreased in some instances. In reporting its earnings last week, Cigna, another insurer, talked about the “low level” of medical use.

Yet the companies continue to press for higher premiums, even though their reserve coffers are flush with profits and shareholde­rs have been rewarded with new dividends. Many defend proposed double-dig­it increases in the rates they charge, citing a need for protection against any sudden uptick in demand once people have more money to spend on their health, as well as the rising price of care.

Read the Article at HuffingtonPost