WASHINGTON (March 10, 2010)--Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sketched out a stark choice for the nation's insurers Wednesday, oppose reform and eventually lose customers, or work with the Obama administration to improve the legislation.

Sebelius told health insurers Wednesday if overhaul fails, premiums will continue to rise and employers would cancel coverage.

She said the industry may make money in the short term, but it won't work for Americans and it eventually won't help insurers.

Sebelius urged the insurers to help create a sustainable market in which all Americans could buy coverage.

She said they should spend the millions that might go to attack ads on reducing the cost of premiums.