Remember when the large health insurers were voraciously opposing the Affordable Care Act? Between 2009 – 2010, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) pumped over $100 million into anti-Obamacare PACs. But since Mr. Obama signed the law, the insurance industry has more than made up for their political losses with significant financial gains. Share prices for six major for-profit insurance companies — Aetna, Cigna, Health Net, Humana, UnitedHealth and WellPoint — have more than doubled, while the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index has increased about 70 percent. Opening the market to millions of new enrollees, no doubt, has something to do with these stupendous gains.
Stock Prices since October 1, 2013 when open enrollment began
Aetna
Cigna
Health Net
Humana
UnitedHealth
Wellpoint