\r\n \r\n President�s Speech Allays Some Fears in the Health Insurance Industry
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\nDuring the summer�s heated discussions over health care, when Democrats seemed quick to portray the health insurance companies as the system�s main villains, the industry seemed to be in policy makers� cross hairs.
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\nBut as the specifics of Washington�s proposed overhaul have emerged in recent days � from Senator Max Baucus and in President Obama�s speech on Wednesday night � some industry analysts say insurers may not have much to fear.
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\n�The outlook is moving away from the worst case,� said Les Funtleyder, who follows the industry for the investment firm Miller Tabak & Company in New York.
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\nEven Mr. Obama, who had recently stepped up his criticism of the industry, seemed to soften his stance on Wednesday. He recounted a few insurance horror stories � as might be politically necessary when arguing the need for a system makeover. But as he outlined his plans for health care, which focused mainly on a revamping of the nation�s insurance system, he was careful to point out that the executives who run those companies were not �bad people.�
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\nMr. Obama also made clear that the industry�s biggest worry � the specter of a government-run health plan competing with commercial insurance plans � was not a necessary ingredient to the legislation he seeks. Additionally, he emphasized that he did not want a drastic move away from the current system, under which private companies provide coverage to the bulk of working Americans who are insured.
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\n�I have no interest in putting insurance companies out of business,� he said.
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\nSome industry executives on Thursday acknowledged the president�s shift in tone. �The rhetoric seemed to be much more positive,� said Ronald A. Williams, the chief executive of Aetna, one of the nation�s largest health insurers.
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\nThe reality may also be much more favorable to insurers, industry analysts said. Mr. Obama has already agreed to grant one of the industry�s dearest wishes: a requirement that everyone have coverage, which is reflected in the proposals in Congress.
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