21.   Budget negotiations are already prickly because of Senate efforts to raise Medicare premiums for wealthier seniors, as well as the age when people can enroll in the program.

22.   But analysts said that, unlike Aetna, other HMOs had raised premiums enough and kept sufficient control of costs to meet their earnings targets this year.

23.   But forcing every individual and employer to purchase that coverage will raise premiums and discourage employers from providing health policies at all.

24.   But insurers like Blue Cross have been unable to raise premiums in an intensely competitive market.

25.   But the primary method of raising premiums, other than through the rate, is to increase the valuation on a building.

26.   But whatever the reason, the practice of raising premiums by less than costs had to end and will do so with a vengeance next year.

27.   By forcing insurers to enroll more chronically ill people, the bill would raise premiums for everyone else.

28.   Economists and industry analysts say managed-care health plans are poised to raise premiums after keeping them low over the last couple of years to boost enrollment growth.

29.   Even with drug edits and encouraging the use of nonprescription drugs or other alternatives, some HMOs are forced to raise premiums.

30.   Had the companies never introduced discount brands, and then raised premium brands by the amounts they actually did, the reported inflation rate would have been lower.