Okay, one problem I have with her argument is that the carriers cannot just set prices willy nilly - all plans are regulated and rates are approved by the individual state departments of insurance. I am not arguing they are angels, but insurance companies are a convenient whipping for politicians. They have to play within the paradigm set by government.

Obamacare set in place guarantees and guarantees cost money. That was the argument from the get go. I saw a trade piece the other day where out of network costs have doubled since it was put in place. The real problem is that it is not really insurance by definition. Insurance is risk management for catastrophic situations - it should be there because you had a massive car accident and needed to be helicoptered. Not because you have the sniffles - that should be paid out of pocket. We use it for everything in part because of the lack of price transparency which is wildly inflated as a result.

Also, the amount of private equity money in healthcare is astonishing. PE is about EBITDA. Frankly, should never be allowed in healthcare became it isn't about patients and administration makes decisions not based on the best interests of the patient.

One thing she may be onto - quarterly earnings are coming out now and they are sucking wind and have been all year. Claims are up. (Hmmm, wonder why???l