Recently, health insurance companies have become an attractive target with supporters of reform focusing on insurers imposing sharp rate increases for individual insurance.

Advocates of the Democrats' proposed legislation, from small level organizers to President Barack Obama, point towards the increase in rates for individuals. A pending 24% increase from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield for its renowned Wisconsin plans is a sure proof of a broken system.

But, health economists are of the view that insurance companies can in no way be blamed for high health care costs.

Reinhardt, a health economist at Princeton University said, “What really drives it is the cost trend of health care, which is composed in part of utilization and in part of prices”.

Katherine Baicker, who is a professor of health economics at the Harvard School of Public Health, adds that the main reason behind the rising health care costs and health insurance premiums is the amount of health care that is consumed.

Schriber, President and General Manager of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin, opines that Insurance is expensive since the health care is expensive too.