Report: Health premium costs won't jump

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- The Congressional Budget Office reported the U.S. Senate healthcare reform bill would not cause a big jump in health insurance premium costs.

The report, which was released Monday as debate on the measure began, indicated the Senate bill could reduce significantly costs for many people who buy health insurance on their own and wouldn't significantly alter premiums for workers who receive health insurance from their employers, The New York Times reported.

Before considering federal subsidies to help people buy insurance, the budget office said the bill tended to increase premiums. But because of subsidies, most people in the individual insurance market would see their costs decline.

People who receive health insurance coverage through their employers would see little change in their premium costs, the report concluded.

While the White House said the CBO report validated their view, Senate Republicans said it confirmed their concerns, focusing on the report's prediction that unsubsidized premiums in the individual insurance market -- less than 20 percent of those with health insurance -- would rise an average of 10 percent to 13 percent, the Times said.

"The analysis by the Congressional Budget Office confirms our worst fears," Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, said. "Millions of people who are expecting lower costs as a result of health reform will end up paying more in the form of higher premiums."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada is trying to cobble together a 60-vote coalition necessary to win passage. Debate and amendment-offering are expected to last for much of December.