Sebelius reiterates call for insurer transparency

The Wall Street Journal: Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Monday "called on managed-care companies to publicly justify rate increases." Meanwhile, President Obama "cited a recent Wall Street conference call as evidence that the industry is willing and able to price out some customers." Sebelius' action came on the heels of last week's White House meeting with the executives of a number of major health insurance companies. Today she sent "the executives a letter ... reiterating her request that they justify on their Web sites any individual or small-group rate increases" (Wisenberg Brin, 3/8).

Reuters: Sebelius is urging the the insurers "to make public details about their estimated costs, enrollment changes and other details at a time when rates are increasing as much as 39 percent" (Heavey, 3/8).

Modern Healthcare: "In a written statement, Sebelius said she had asked the insurers to do this 'so consumers can see why their premiums are skyrocketing. Now, it's time for these insurance company CEOs to do their part to make the system more transparent for the American people. If insurance companies are going to raise rates, the least they can do is tell us why'" (Lubell, 3/8).