America's health insurance companies have posted a 56% increase in their profits in 2009.

"The outsized earnings are a vivid reminder that without comprehensive national health care reform, the gatekeepers of our broken health insurance system always will put the short-term interests of Wall Street before the needs of millions of patients and a national economy plagued by joblessness", quoted the HCAN report.

Lawmakers and critics who took part in the HCAN call have expressed disgust over the notion of insurance companies profiting while unemployment rates soar and more than 40 million people lack health insurances.

"How did they accomplish this feat in the midst of a sharp economic downturn that reduced wealth across the board?", asked Rep. Rosa DeLauro.

"Without reform, we're going to continue to see double-digit rate increases", said Richard Kirsch, National Campaign Manager for HCAN. "Without requiring that everyone's covered, without regulating insurance companies, and without subsidies for people to make it more affordable, the data this year will continue unabated", he added.

The health care bills may impose regulations on insurance companies, prohibiting them from denying insurance or cancelling policies based on a pre-existing health condition.

Insurance companies agreed to the deal because of a provision that would require most Americans to buy health insurance, thereby increasing their customer base.