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Health Reform: Good Deal or Bad Deal for Insurance Companies?

Good deal, says Wall Street. Here’s The Associated Press, reporting yesterday on insurance company stock prices after the Senate bill cleared its first

Jul 31, 2020
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Good deal, says Wall Street. Here’s The Associated Press, reporting yesterdayon insurance company stock prices after the Senate bill cleared its first procedural hurdle:
Shares of Aetna rose $1.81, or 5.6 percent, to $34.32; Cigna gained $2.15, or 6 percent, to $37.95; Humana added $1.71, or 3.9 percent, to $45.24; UnitedHealth traded up $1.35, or 4.3 percent, to $32.89; Wellpoint Inc. jumped $2.19, or 3.8 percent, to $60.51. All hit 52-week highs, except for Humana, which was a little more than a dime short of its 12-month high.
Wellcare also rose $1.47, or 4 percent, to $38.41; Health Net rose 73 cents, or 3.1 percent, to $24.28; Molina rose 61 cents, or 2.7 percent, to $23.02; and Amerigroup rose 49 cents to $26.28. Wellcare and Health Net hit 52-week highs as well.
Nate Silver parsedthese figures yesterday, reaching the verdict that they don’t necessarily mean that the industry’s profit marginswould be higher under the bill, though millions more customers would increase the companies’ volume considerably. OK — fine. But it still means the industry will fare well (with more than $430 billionin government subsidies thrown in for good measure). And it still means that the task of screening claims for medical services remains in the hands of the same folks who have a perverse economic incentive to deny those claims.
These are the rewards of spending millionslobbying Congress.
Camilo Wood

Camilo Wood

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Camilo Wood has over two decades of experience as a writer and journalist, specializing in finance and economics. With a degree in Economics and a background in financial research and analysis, Camilo brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his writing. Throughout his career, Camilo has contributed to numerous publications, covering a wide range of topics such as global economic trends, investment strategies, and market analysis. His articles are recognized for their insightful analysis and clear explanations, making complex financial concepts accessible to readers. Camilo's experience includes working in roles related to financial reporting, analysis, and commentary, allowing him to provide readers with accurate and trustworthy information. His dedication to journalistic integrity and commitment to delivering high-quality content make him a trusted voice in the fields of finance and journalism.
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