Insurance news: OR toughens rate reviews, and parsing the polls

The Salem Statesman-Journal has a story out of Oregon today, titled "Can Legislation Cure Oregon's Ailing Health System?" Among the several points it covers: the state's stance on requests by health insurers to raise rates. From the story:

And reforms to insurance rate requests are under way. They'll give the state one of the toughest reporting requirements in the country. "Oregon is on the forefront of what states are doing in terms of rate review," said Teresa Miller, administrator of the Oregon Insurance Division. "We're going to be scrutinizing rate requests more closely than before."

The Wall Street Journal takes a look at the polling around universal coverage, and concludes that it's losing support among voters. From the story:

“...a (June) CBS News/New York Times poll found that 64% of Americans agreed that the federal government should guarantee health insurance for all. That consensus has unraveled. According to the September version of the same poll, support for federally guaranteed universal coverage had fallen to 51%. As Americans learn about the trade-offs health-care reform will require, their enthusiasm for it wanes.”

Fox News reports that Senate Moderates Warm to Public Option Compromise.

An editorial in USA Today urges Congress "Don't Soak the Young In Pricing Medical Coverage."

And Insurance and Financial Advisor has a story about "Broker Fees, Admin Costs Blamed for High Small Biz Premiums."

Happy Friday.