AHIP Checks Facts

America's Health Insurance Plans is trying to use small doses of information to shape the current health system change debate.

AHIP, Washington, has sent reporters and others a brief e-mail noting that claims that U.S. health insurers have "windfall profits" are exaggerated.

AHIP reports that health insurers' $21 billion in total 2006 profits amounted to only about 1% of total U.S. health care spending that year.