Health insurance profit margins typically run about 6 percent, give or take a point or two. That's anemic compared with other forms of insurance and a broad array of industries, even some beleaguered ones.
Profits barely exceeded 2 percent of revenues in the latest annual measure. This partly explains why the credit ratings of some of the largest insurers were downgraded to negative from stable heading into this year, as investors were warned of a stagnant if not shrinking market for private plans.
Insurers are an expedient target for leaders who want a government-run plan in the marketplace. Such a public option would force private insurers to trim profits and restrain premiums to compete, the argument goes. This would "keep insurance companies honest," says President Barack Obama.
The debate is loaded with intimations that insurers are less than straight, when they are not flatly accused of malfeasance.
They may not have helped their case by commissioning a report that looked primarily at the elements of health care legislation that might drive consumer costs up while ignoring elements aimed at bringing costs down. Few in the debate seem interested in a true balance sheet.
But in pillorying insurers over profits, the critics are on shaky ground. A look at some claims, and the numbers:
THE CLAIMS
_"I'm very pleased that (Democratic leaders) will be talking, too, about the immoral profits being made by the insurance industry and how those profits have increased in the Bush years." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who also welcomed the attention being drawn to insurers'"obscene profits."
_"Keeping the status quo may be what the insurance industry wants their premiums have more than doubled in the last decade and their profits have skyrocketed." Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen, member of the Democratic leadership.
_"Health insurance companies are willing to let the bodies pile up as long as their profits are safe." A MoveOn.org ad.
THE NUMBERS:
Health insurers posted a 2.2 percent profit margin last year, placing them 35th on the Fortune 500 list of top industries. As is typical, other health sectors did much better - drugs and medical products and services were both in the top 10.
The railroads brought in a 12.6 percent profit margin. Leading the list: network and other communications equipment, at 20.4 percent.
HealthSpring, the best performer in the health insurance industry, posted 5.4 percent. That's a less profitable margin than was achieved by the makers of Tupperware, Clorox bleach and Molson and Coors beers.
The star among the health insurance companies did, however, nose out Jack in the Box restaurants, which only achieved a 4 percent margin.
UnitedHealth Group, reporting third quarter results last week, saw fortunes improve. It managed a 5 percent profit margin on an 8 percent growth in revenue.
Van Hollen is right that premiums have more than doubled in a decade, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation study that found a 131 percent increase.
But were the Bush years golden ones for health insurers?
Not judging by profit margins, profit growth or returns to shareholders. The industry's overall profits grew only 8.8 percent from 2003 to 2008, and its margins year to year, from 2005 forward, never cracked 8 percent.
The latest annual profit margins of a selection of products, services and industries: Tupperware Brands, 7.5 percent; Yahoo, 5.9 percent; Hershey, 6.1 percent; Clorox, 8.7 percent; Molson Coors Brewing, 8.1 percent; construction and farm machinery, 5 percent; Yum Brands (think KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell), 8.5 percent. Now for the big question. Do you really think that our government and it's record of wasting our money, do a better job at under 6% waste? And with only a 6% profit margine it's obvious insurance companies are the real problem. So what is this Health Care Reform really about? It isn't about the profit margines of the insurance companies or about the government doing a better job at a lower profit margine then the insurance companies? We know that isn't what this is about either. It couldn't possably be about more government takeovers and the power that comes with it? It isn't about our government tawking over our lives and our health care is it? Could it be about money? The unions have a lot to gain from a one payer system and the Democrats do what the unions tell them to do no matter what harm it causes we the people and the country. This ain't about the 6% profit margines because everyone wishes the government would run that efficent. If the Democrats pass this health care bill then it isn't going to look good for them in the next couple of decades. And if you need proof of government waste and irresponsable managment just look at when Medicare becomes bankrupt. Yeh that happens in 2016. And if you want to know who will get stuck with the bill on all this spending just look at our youth. We aren't leaving them the SSI they payed into,Medicare they payed for and a national debt like none other. But they voted for Obama and the Democrats that are doing it to them. But at least they are preparing our future with a great education like none other the world over. LOL. Now lets hear the liberals say that the Republicans and I are getting paid by the inserance companies. John has already shown us how much the Democrats get from insurance and big pharma. Don't worry though because right when we cover the costs of theis health care reform the unions like SEIU will tell us that their huge pessions aren't funded and we the people and the future generations will be paying for that one too. Spread the wealth,spread the wealth, while the unions are getting buttered up for a grand future. We the people need to fight back and fight back hard or this will cost us our future. And unless you want to work till your dead then you better stop this "fundamental change" and give the government what they diserve.
