America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) said it supports a new federal effort to make health care clearer to the public, an effort it says it has already undertaken.

The number of people who are covered by Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) has reached 10 million, spurred in part by strong growth in the large-group market, according to America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP).

While not included in sweeping federal health reform, the head of the Senate’s health committee said “we can and should do more” to protect consumers from unjustified premium increases.

Recognizing the historical aspect and increased coverage provided through the health reform bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, insurance companies and at least one agents’ group are not sharing the enthusiasm of Democrats.

While Democrats and Republicans gear up for a showdown on health care reform legislation, a national association representing insurers says the proposed solution raises prices and stalls necessary treatment.

In a move U.S. House leaders say will promote competition in the marketplace and additional freedom for the American people, the Congressional body has voted to strip private health insurers of their 65-year-old antitrust exemption.

The focus of some sharp criticism in recent days, the nation’s private insurance companies are now taking Washington, D.C., to task for painting them as the bad guys, solely responsible for rising healthcare costs.

In a plan the White House says “bridges the gap” between House and Senate health reform bills, President Barack Obama laid out a comprehensive proposal he feels will make coverage more affordable and accessible, while calling for greater accountability by stakeholders in the market.

Backing up its belief that comprehensive health care reform in Washington, D.C., should not focus solely on insurance, the trade group representing health insurers says new data on health costs is further proof of the need for more widespread change.

Two health insurance industry trade groups voiced concern with the U.S. Senate’s passage of a $871 billion health care reform bill Dec. 24.