My FNC colleague Jenna Lee just interviewed HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius about the President’s new idea (his accommodation) about the contraception/religion controversy and I have this thought:
As I understand it, under the President’s new idea, the insurance companies will pay for the contraceptives (not the religious organizations) so that the religious organizations do not have to violate their conscience.
I don’t think so…. I don’t think the insurance companies will REALLY be paying for it. It may appear that the insurance companies are paying for it but I think it will be quickly passed to everyone else in the form of higher premiums.
Jenna said to Secretary Sebelius that “nothing is free” and in essence, why would anyone think the insurance companies would pay for this (they are not THAT magnanimous) and not pass it onto everyone in the form of higher premiums (and thus the conscience clause WOULD be violated but the cost would be buried in higher premiums to everyone.)
HHS Secretary Sebelius said the insurance companies WILL want to do this (and thus not pass the increased cost off to consumers in the form of higher premiums) because it is cheaper in the long run for the insurance companies that contraceptives are used.
I don’t think so….I don’t think the insurance companies are on the same page with the HHS Secretary about who is going to REALLY pay.
Insurance companies are in the business of making money and making it now. If Secretary Sebelius were correct, then insurance companies would be paying for colonoscopies and mammograms since early detection is a huge cost saving.
Maybe I am wrong….what do YOU think?
By the way, if this works, and everyone is satisfied, that is great news! We need problems solved and not consuming us.
