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The Daily Tar Heel
Pit Talk

Will health care legislation increase insurance premiums?

The insurance industry is adding to the uphill battle that congressional democrats are fighting in order to pass health care reform legislation.

 Private insurers, hoping to sway public opinion, have said that premiums will increase by 18 percent within the next decade if the health care reform is passed. 

“I would take it with a grain of salt,” said Jonathon Oberlander, UNC political science expert, on the industries claims of price inflation.

 Oberlander said that by making these claims, the insurance industry is trying to scare the public and sway individuals to disagree with health care reform.

There are two battles, one in congress and one in the country. If you win the battle in country you have more of a sway over the battle in congress for health care reform,” he said.

While Republicans are agreeing with the industries claims Congressional Democrats are fighting against those who say prices will increase. Democrats argue that health insurance companies are only worried about a decrease in their profits.

What you're saying:                                                    

“Obviously they are going to try to work it so that people will look negatively at health care reform. A third party, not a biased party should look into this and check whether it is fact.  It’s a very two-sided debate.” - Daniel Bethea, junior, political science and journalism major, Hendersonville. 

“I feel like it  [premiums] will go up, but I feel like insurance industries are also just trying to make that bottom dollar." - Steven Ingram, senior, exercise and sports science major, Thomasville. 

 “I think it [ health care] will pass but I don’t think it should be equalized. I think we should still consider specialization”- Callan Fike,  junior, exercise and sports science major, Cary. 

 

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