Evil Corporate Health Care Insurance Profits - or so we are told

I just saw on the news today that President Obama was again railing against the insurance industry and the  ”profits” that they make.  “(Health Insurers) will keep on doing this for as long as they can get away with it. This is no secret,” the president said. “They’re telling their investors this – ‘We are in the money.  We are going to keep on making big profits even though a lot of folks are going to be put under hardship,’ Obama told supporters at a rally in Pennsylvania today.

My question is this to President Obama. If the insurance companies don’t make a profit, why would they want to be in business? Is PROFITS really a bad thing? Apparently it is.

Of course the Insurance companies are in it for the money. That’s the only reason people go into business - it is to make money – a profit. At least that’s the goal. However, making the insurance companies out to be bad people is bad politics. The claims that obscene profits are being made by these insurance companies and the rhetoric that paints them as cold blooded corporate raiders pilfering the unsuspecting and needy peoples around the country when they need help the most makes for good political word play and emotional responses.

However, let’s take a look at the insurance industry and how they rank.

(For the most recent listings you can visit Yahoo for more information). Interesting to note on this chart that Health Care Plans come in #86 on the list.

Now, maybe I missed something, but being #86 as far as profits are concerned as a percentage of sales is not exactly a stellar ranking. When Confectioners (#83) beat you out for profitability it sounds like the White House is utilizing scare tactics and emotions to rally support for passing a bloated, bad for the economy health care bill just to say he’s done something. There might be an over compensation here to accomplish the passage of this health care reform  since he hasn’t accomplished anything since being in the White House, or as a matter of fact since he’s been in the Senate or any public office.

If we are going to demonize the Health Insurance market for unfair premiums and prices maybe everybody in front of the #86 spot should also be under government run control. That sounds only fair. You know those darn Metal Fabricators (#63) and Cleaning Product Compainies (#39) should not be allowed to make their unseemly profits either. Distribute the wealth! Kill the golden goose! This seems to be the cry coming from our White House.

Maybe we should call it the Red House. If we want to continue to crucify industry, innovation, and slaughter the innovative spirit and entrepreneurship of America, all we have to do is keep going the route we are going. Once the golden goose is killed, who’s going to have the money to buy the last golden egg? Who’s going to WANT to step out in what has built this country into the world’s most innovative, inspiring, and opportunistic country knowing they are next on the chopping block?

When no one wants to step forward, who’s going to be footing the bill for all the new health care entitlements? No one will be creating new jobs because there will be no incentive to try to make money. When there’s no jobs and no money then the government will have nothing to collect. Then what happens? Someone else will get the blame other than those who are actually responsible.

We need to get the government out of the way. Reducing health insurance costs is not that difficult. If you pay cash to a hospital because you don’t have insurance you usually will get a discount. Why? The hospital doesn’t have to fight with the insurance company or the government (Medicare/Medicaid) to get paid. Less hassle, less paperwork equals lower costs. Wow. Such a simple concept that doesn’t require 2000+ pages of  ”sickness”.

Take down the interstate barriers. Let the free market drive prices. Competition is a good thing except when the government is involved. The Government is not in it to “make money”. Apparently the government can “print” all the money it needs it can give you health care for free. I suppose that levels the playing field against those evil profit seekers in the marketplace.

But, since the Government is all “beneficial” and for the people, why is it that many procedures and operations, or potentially beneficial options available to help someone get better are denied by Medicare or Medicaid? Isn’t that a slight double standard saying these Evil Insurance Companies are denying people treatments and health care when the All Benevolent Government Health options are doing the same thing?

Why does the Kettle keep calling the Pot black?

Brian Walker is an editor and co-founder of the Ohio Free Press. We are dedicated to bringing news, enlightenment and a slight sense of humor to our Ohio and national readers. Thank you to everyone who stops by our little slice of the internet.