NU Online News Service, Aug. 4, 3:42 p.m. EDT

WASHINGTON–The health care insurance industry's main lobbying group asked political leaders to "stop demonizing the industry" for its stance on health care insurance reform and restated objections to any "public plan" offering.

Karen Ignagni, president and chief executive officer of America's Health Insurance Plans, said "a campaign has been launched to demonize health plans and the men and women who work hard every day in their communities to provide health insurance coverage to more than 200 million Americans."

Speaking during a conference call with reporters, she said that with Congress' summer recess, "the country should be in the midst of a transformative national conversation about health care reform."

Ms. Ignagni's comments were made in response to plans by Democrats to defend and promote their plans for health care reform measures by criticizing the health insurance industry. Republicans in Congress are attempting to slow down the legislative effort.

Ms. Ignagni also by implication was criticizing President Obama, who has publicly voiced support for Democratic legislation that includes some form of government health insurance offering.

While critical of the current legislative proposals, Ms. Ignagni, in response to reporters' questions, said the industry does not intend at this time to walk away from the negotiating table.

She noted that "80 percent of the work has been done" in drafting health care insurance legislative reform."

At the same time, she reiterated the industry's adamant opposition to any form of public plan, even the cooperative proposal being suggested in bipartisan talks being held by the Senate Finance Committee.

Outlining her group's stance on the issues she said:

o Health plans have proposed comprehensive health care reform to cover all Americans, make care more affordable and improve quality.

o Health plans proposed health insurance reform last year.

o Health plans have proposed far-reaching initiatives to bend the health cost curve and make care more affordable for individuals, families and employers.

o Health plans are advocating and advertising in support of bipartisan reform.

o Out of every dollar the nation spends on health care, one penny goes to health plan profits.

Special Reports /

Health Insurance Group To Congress: Don't Demonize Us

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