As President Obama stumps the country trying to regain leadership on health reform—and get the health reform bill passes—he is now taking aim at the health insurers. Citing big rate increases for buyers of individual insurance policies in some states — 40 percent, 60 percent, even 100 percent — Mr. Obama is trying to focus attention on provisions in the legislation that he says will protect consumers from the worst excesses of insurers.

 Is this too little too late?  Where was the President’s voice early on? The process the President set in motion months ago has clearly emboldened the insurers and pharmaceutical companies.  One could argue that they know now that nothing substantive will change and they have carte blanche to do whatever they want.

HHS Secretary Sebelius is also confusing the insurance issue.  Today she told insurers,  “It’s not too late to work on this issue together, for insurance companies to come to the table and work with us.’’ Last week, the Secretary was attacking rate hikes by insurers in California. 

It’s hard for the American public to get the Administration’s message straight. The President and the Secretary have not focused on the day-to-day actions of the insurers that people can relate to and understand.  The insurers have gone hog wild on restrictions on drugs and services and pre-certifications for drugs and services.  People experience that every day.  People are frustrated and fighting that every day—and time and energy with the insurers (I should say with a recorded message machine that the insurers hide behind).  That’s the insurance industry the American people know.  Who will monitor that? Where is that in health reform? Will supporting health reform get the insurers out of medical decision making?  That is what the people want and that is what the President is not addressing.