Some readings to remember

Economic Report of the President for 2010

A copy of the actual report is available here.

Republican Breaks Rank on Finance Bill
Tennessee's Corker Begins Negotiations With Dodd; Colleagues Urge Senator Not to Vote With Democrats

Insurer writes defense of rate hikes

Anthem Blue Cross sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Thursday blaming its recent rate hikes on the weak economy and rising medical costs.

Financial woes have pushed healthier people to drop coverage or buy cheaper plans, the company argued to Sebelius, who had demanded an explanation this week for the company's decision to raise premiums by as much as 39 percent. As a result of losing those customers and holding on to sicker ones, the insurer said, its individual business in California operated at a loss during 2009 and an increase in rates would cover the anticipated shortfall this year.

"While this dynamic always exists, in a challenging economy it becomes more prevalent as individuals who are paying for coverage without a government or employer subsidy must choose to continue coverage or use the money for other necessities," wrote Brian A. Sassi, president and CEO of the consumer business unit at WellPoint, Anthem's parent company.

At the same time, medical prices are rising faster than inflation. People are also using more health services, "driven largely by an aging population, a lifestyle that results in chronic disease, new treatments, and more intensive diagnostic testing," wrote Sassi. . . .