WASHINGTON – As Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill scramble to find votes to pass a healthcare overhaul bill as early as this weekend, America's Health Insurance Plans has launched a nationwide campaign to warn America that premiums will go up if the bill is passed.

According to a statement released Wednesday by AHIP Press Secretary Robert Zirkelbach, the current proposed legislation would make healthcare more expensive "by imposing billions of dollars in new healthcare taxes and encouraging people to wait until they are sick before getting insurance."

"Healthcare reform legislation that fails to address costs will set the stage for the nation's next financial crisis," he said.

In an open letter to the American people published in newspapers nationwide this week, AHIP said skyrocketing medical costs are the main cause of rising insurance costs.

"Our members are responsible for ensuring the stability and quality of health coverage for 200 million Americans," the letter said. "The people who work at health insurance plans are conscientious, dedicated men and women from all walks of life who are working hard every day to improve healthcare."

AHIP officials say the rising costs of medication, screening and medical treatments are the main reason behind rising healthcare costs.

AHIP's campaign follows recent public inquiries by the federal government over double-digit premium hikes in several states. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has demanded an explanation for the hikes in the face of what she estimates is a significant profit for the insurance companies.

Present Barack Obama has urged a public healthcare option that could have the bargaining power "to keep insurance companies honest."

According to Zirkelbach, the insurance plans' total costs, including all overhead, marketing and profits, amount to 4 percent of the nation's healthcare spending.

"We need to become even more efficient, but reform also needs to address the other 96 percent," he said.