A new study revealed that food-borne illnesses cost the United States $152 billion a year in regards to health-related expenses, which is much more than what was initially estimated. Christopher Doering from Reuters states, “The price tag includes medical costs, lost productivity and quality-of-life.” “Food safety advocates are hoping the study will boost efforts in Congress to overhaul the nation’s antiquated food safety system that has seen consumer confidence plunge,” reports Doering.
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Anthem Blue Cross’ parent called off a meeting with investors that was scheduled for next week to “review its 2010 financial outlook so that executives can prepare for a congressional hearing into its large rate hikes for individual policyholders in California,” states Duke Helfand from the Los Angeles Times. WellPoint Inc. Chief Executive Angela F. Braly has been called to testify next week about the future rate hikes of as much as 39%.
WellPoint has postponed the planned premium increases until May 1, “amid criticisms from consumers, state officials, members of Congress and the Obama administration,” reports Helfand. WellPoint blames the drastic increases on the rising medical costs, and said less than a quarter of individual policyholders would actually suffer from rate increases of 35% to 39%.
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According to the Los Angeles Times, on Thursday the parent of Anthem Blue Cross attempted to justify large premium increases for individual policies, however, “critics – including the Obama administration – voiced skepticism.” The Los Angeles Times reports, “In a letter to the administration, health insurance giant WellPoint Inc. of Indianapolis said that increases of as much as 39%, set to take effect March 1, reflect soaring medical costs and an exodus of healthy consumers from its ranks.”
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A new poll revealed that 60% of voters would support a $1 increase per pack of cigarettes, and that voters would prefer a tax hike over budget cuts. Reuters states that a tax increase on cigarettes could raise billions of dollars for struggling states. John Seffrin, chief executive of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said, “An increase in tobacco tax rates is not only sound public health policy but a smart and predictable way to help boost the economy and generate long-term health savings for states facing deepening budget deficits.”
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