InfoAnda - FACT CHECK: Health insurer profits not so fat

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Fireworks but long shadows as New Year sweeps across Europe | 1 January 2009
Attack ruled out in oil tank fire in Xinjiang | International | | 12 July 2009
US Supreme Court delays decision on Uighur case | 30 June 2009

M and S sales jump in second quarter | 7 October 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : FACT CHECK: Health insurer profits not so fat

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America FACT CHECK: Health insurer profits not so fat By CALVIN WOODWARD,Associated Press Writer - Monday, October 26 Send IM Story Print WASHINGTON – Quick quiz: What do these enterprises have in common? Farm and construction machinery, Tupperware, the railroads, Hershey sweets, Yum food brands and Yahoo? Answer: They're all more profitable than the health insurance industry. In the health care debate, Democrats and their allies have gone after insurance companies as rapacious profiteers making "immoral" and "obscene" returns while "the bodies pile up." Ledgers tell a different reality. Health insurance profit margins typically run about 6 percent, give or take a point or two. That's anemic compared with other forms of insurance and a broad array of industries, even some beleaguered ones. Profits barely exceeded 2 percent of revenues in the latest annual measure. This partly explains why the credit ratings of some of the largest insurers were downgraded to negative from stable heading into this year, as investors were warned of a stagnant if not shrinking market for private plans. Insurers are an expedient target for leaders who want a government-run plan in the marketplace. Such a public option would force private insurers to trim profits and restrain premiums to compete, the argument goes. This would "keep insurance companies honest," says President Barack Obama. The debate is loaded with intimations that insurers are less than straight, when they are not flatly accused of malfeasance. They may not have helped their case by commissioning a report that looked primarily at the elements of health care legislation that might drive consumer costs up while ignoring elements aimed at bringing costs down. Few in the debate seem interested in a true balance sheet. But in pillorying insurers over profits, the critics are on shaky ground. A look at some claims, and the numbers: THE CLAIMS _"I'm very pleased that (Democratic leaders) will be talking, too, about the immoral profits being made by the insurance industry and how those profits have increased in the Bush years." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who also welcomed the attention being drawn to insurers' "obscene profits." _"Keeping the status quo may be what the insurance industry wants their premiums have more than doubled in the last decade and their profits have skyrocketed." Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen, member of the Democratic leadership. _"Health insurance companies are willing to let the bodies pile up as long as their profits are safe." A MoveOn.org ad. THE NUMBERS: Health insurers posted a 2.2 percent profit margin last year, placing them 35th on the Fortune 500 list of top industries. As is typical, other health sectors did much better _ drugs and medical products and services were both in the top 10. The railroads brought in a 12.6 percent profit margin. Leading the list: network and other communications equipment, at 20.4 percent. HealthSpring, the best performer in the health insurance industry, posted 5.4 percent. That's a less profitable margin than was achieved by the makers of Tupperware, Clorox bleach and Molson and Coors beers. The star among the health insurance companies did, however, nose out Jack in the Box restaurants, which only achieved a 4 percent margin. UnitedHealth Group, reporting third quarter results last week, saw fortunes improve. It managed a 5 percent profit margin on an 8 percent growth in revenue. Van Hollen is right that premiums have more than doubled in a decade, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation study that found a 131 percent increase. But were the Bush years golden ones for health insurers? Not judging by profit margins, profit growth or returns to shareholders. The industry's overall profits grew only 8.8 percent from 2003 to 2008, and its margins year to year, from 2005 forward, never cracked 8 percent. The latest annual profit margins of a selection of products, services and industries: Tupperware Brands, 7.5 percent; Yahoo, 5.9 percent; Hershey, 6.1 percent; Clorox, 8.7 percent; Molson Coors Brewing, 8.1 percent; construction and farm machinery, 5 percent; Yum Brands (think KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell), 8.5 percent. ___ Associated Press writer Tom Murphy in Indianapolis contributed to this report. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Opposition activist killed in southern Russia AP - 1 hour 49 minutes ago Violent clashes erupt at Jerusalem's holiest site AP - 2 hours 12 minutes ago Tunisians set to elect Ben Ali president, again AP - 2 hours 28 minutes ago AP bureau chief Mike McQueen dies at 52 AP - 2 hours 31 minutes ago Afghan strategy lacking without credible partner: Abdullah AFP - 2 hours 41 minutes ago News Search Top Stories IMF demands Ukraine veto new wage, pension law Thousands eat breakfast on Sydney Harbour Bridge Recession or not? US economy likely to be in limbo New German government to slash taxes Obama declares swine flu emergency More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Obama declares swine flu emergency Recession or not? US economy likely to be in limbo Europe swine flu spreads, 'millions' infected in US New German government to slash taxes Icahn resigns from Yahoo! board More Most Viewed » Boyzone singer Gately dies in Spain Mobile phone giant Nokia sues Apple over patents More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Monday, 26 October 2009
Israeli police, Arabs clash near Jerusalem mosque
IMF demands Ukraine veto new wage, pension law
Afghan strategy lacking without credible partner: Abdullah
Twin suicide bombings kill 99 in Baghdad
Merkel's new govt dubbed political 'Jurassic Park'
Thousands eat breakfast on Sydney Harbour Bridge
Libya says two Swiss held in 'good' conditions
Iraqi searches for brothers in ancient cemetery
Opposition activist killed in Russia's Ingushetia | International |
One dead, one missing after storms hit Greece | International |
NATO, Afghans probe death of four civilians
U.N. experts inspect Iran's new nuclear site
Israel to review its own Gaza war probe: source | International |
Developing nation Anglicans decline pope's offer | International |
Major attacks in Iraq since Jan. 1
Rockslide in NC near Tennessee shuts Interstate 40
Shrimp's eye points way to better DVDs | Technology |
India to China: Dalai Lama an 'honored guest'
Video shows Calif. police beating of student
Afghan president, challenger endorse runoff
RI hospital has 5th wrong-site surgery since '07
From ecological Soviet-era ruin, a sea is reborn
Woman, 88, walks 10,000 miles in husband's memory
Hatoyama's DPJ wins two seats in Japan's upper house
Afghanistan president says runoff must be held
Singh to Wen: Dalai Lama an honoured guest
'Bioidenticals' not FDA-approved, contain estrogen
As workers choose health plans, skepticism abounds
Sheriff in balloon saga doesn't shy from soapbox
Man ordering food called a zombie, punched twice
FACT CHECK: Health insurer profits not so fat
Lost keys lead NJ police to home invasion suspects
Paranormal Activity scares up box office win | Entertainment |
A Minute With: Kenny Ortega on the 'It' in This Is It | Entertainment |
Singer Morrissey stable after collapsing on stage
Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber diagnosed with cancer
Palestinians make world's largest embroidered dress
Composer Lloyd Webber has prostate cancer: BBC
Kadhafi says Palestinians should have nuclear weapons
Sony optical drives probed by anti-trust watchdog
Baghdad bombings death toll rises to 155 | International |
Iraqi security on high alert after day of carnage
Sony optic drives probed by anti-trust regulators
Madoff associate Picower found dead: police
U.N. inspectors reach Iran's new nuclear site: report | International |
German 'veil martyr' trial to open
Sean Penn arrives in Cuba to interview Fidel Castro
Internet 'a teenager' at 40
Shrimp's eye points way to better DVDs
South Korea shifts course on aid to North Korea | International |
UN inspectors visit once-secret Iranian site
Bombings target government in Baghdad, 147 killed
Libya's Gaddafi sorry for UK policewoman's death | International |
Leftist, ex-president head for Uruguay vote run-off | International |
Tunisian president in landslide election victory | International |
Some of the deadliest attacks in Iraq
Italy opposition elects ex-minister as new leader | International |
Police clash with Palestinians at Al-Aqsa mosque compound
US-TECH Summary
Sony in PS3 movie streaming deal with Netflix
Sony optical drives probed by anti-trust watchdog
Sony optic drives probed by anti-trust regulators
US: 4 US soldiers die in Afghan chopper collision
Militants kill 6 Pakistani security forces
Australian police post reward for 'vampire' murder
SKorean court to rule on disgraced scientist
War influx stirs tension in Pakistan flashpoint
Torrential storms lash Australia, one dead
Marshalls elect new president in narrow vote
Pakistan army claims more advances in offensive
Pakistan captures Taliban mountain stronghold
Myanmar sees role for Suu Kyi in political process: Thailand
AP bureau chief Mike McQueen dies at 52
Police vet more than 1,000 tips in girl's death
Sony in PS3 movie streaming deal with Netflix | Technology |
Yes, she can: Obama's golfers a men's club no more
Sony optical drives probed by anti-trust watchdog | Technology |
Feds interview crew of plane that overshot airport
Axelrod remains mindful of daughter with epilepsy
THE INFLUENCE GAME: Gates sways government dollars
Sheriff in balloon saga doesn't shy from soapbox
Texas child sex abuser gets 80 life sentences
Official: China's economy better than expected
Seoul shares turn higher after GDP; drug firms rise
SKorea's economy registers major growth rate
S.Korea inventories boost growth, clouds rates outlook
S.Korea T-bonds dive after strong GDP data
SKorea's economy grows at fastest pace in 7 years
Korea Hot Stocks
Seoul shares open down; Q3 GDP data helps sentiment
SKorea's economy grows 2.9 percent in 3rd quarter
Japan's hip young farmers dig in to avert food crunch
Warner Bros. nears deal for animated feature
Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs" get darker reading
Saudi journalist sentenced 60 lashes
B'way takes a new look at 'Brighton Beach Memoirs'
'Paranormal Activity' scares up box-office gold
Dubai auction sets highest guide price for Arab artist
Fair Trade makes inroads among hemmed-in West Bank farmers
Cheryl Cole tops British charts
Gasol to guest star on 'CSI: Miami'
Simon's Brighton Beach Memoirs get darker reading | Entertainment |
Warner Bros. nears deal for animated feature | Entertainment |
Saudi journalist sentenced 60 lashes | Entertainment |
ING to raise 7.5 bln euros to repay govt, restructure
Governor blames security forces for Baghdad carnage
Chopper crash kills 10 Americans in Afghanistan
Internet shakeup looms with multilingual addresses
German consumer sentiment falls: GfK
Iran hints at acceptance of atom deal with powers
Electrolux to close two US plants
Sony in PS3 movie streaming deal with Netflix
Iran may give 'part' of low-enriched uranium: FM
Kadhafi says sorry for British policewoman's death
Fire prompts evacuations in Santa Cruz mountains
Fidel Castro's sister
1 in 5 kids get little vitamin D, study says
India fighting kills 4 security forces, 4 rebels
Internet set for change with non-Latin addresses
AP IMPACT: Immigration agents mishandle informants
Four tried over Australian army suicide plot
Japanese pop star Sakai pleads guilty to drug charges
Japanese actress drug trial draws crowd of 6,000
Misery for 1.5 mln a month after Philippine storms
AP NewsAlert
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01