White House Exposes Health Insurance Companies On Health Care Reform

[HuckleB]

http://thegovmonitor.com/world_news/united_states/white-house-exposes-health-insurance-companies-on-health-care-reform-21028.html

"A new report today confirms one of Washington’s worst-kept secrets – that big insurance companies are fighting tooth and nail to kill health reform that will wrest power from their hands and give it to American families.

According to the National Journal, the nation’s largest insurers funneled between $10 million and $20 million dollars through the Chamber of Commerce to fund television ads perpetuating their favorite scary myths about health insurance reform.

The article also exposes that the effort was well underway – and carefully planned to avoid detection – even as the insurance companies were publicly claiming to support reform:

In late October, Ignagni wrote in a letter to the Washington Post defending a health insurer-funded study critical of congressional cost estimates, “Let me be clear and direct, health plans continue to strongly support reform.” However, by that time money was already flowing through AHIP to the chamber to fund its negative ads.

..."

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Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

[JNelson6563]

1. The message I'd like to send those bastards

Obviously this was originally designed for Wall St. but I think it's a good fit here too. "Fuckers" indeed.

Julie

[ibegurpard]

2. sorry

the bill stinks
we're not going to be swayed by transparent attempts to make it seem like the insurance industry really opposes it.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

3. This is just beyond pathetic. The White House has to release "news"

that the nations health insurers are "secretly" against reform ?

From the OP:
"According to the National Journal, the nation’s largest insurers funneled between $10 million and $20 million dollars through the Chamber of Commerce to fund television ads perpetuating their favorite scary myths about health insurance reform."

*******************************************************

#1. Why would they "secretly" have to be against reform? It's not like they've ever been shy.

It clear that they are actually for it, since we have not seen ANYTHING like the Harry and Louise campaign. 10-20 million for one of the largest industries in the nationbis a JOKE! Real estate, car or furniture companies can build up the same tab in a single market in no time.

The major job of the insurers is containing their glee! I heard their spokesperson on NPR and I would describe it as contained euphoria. They remain largely unregulated, they have mandates, they still have rescission, annual limits,their profits are legally cast in concrete and there is NO mechanism for cost reduction that impacts their profits!

You don't see any ads by the insurance industry against healthcare reform because they are all on their knees thanking God, Obama and the Democrats that not only did they avoid a bullet, they bought the entire gun store.

[ibegurpard]

5. this is a common political tactic

you have to show SOME opposition to what you want

[truedelphi]

6. Obama handles the "organized chaos" very very well

It has gotten to be quite a well done tango.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

11. Even if it doesn't exist.

Our President and Congress have delivered

Health Care Reform that even the Reformed are For because there is no Reform.

What's not to love, from their perspective?

The second you saw Chuck Schumer contorting himself to deliver the "level playing field" model for a "public option", that's when you truly knew it was all over - follow along -

The public option was supposed to provide competition which would drive down prices.

Schumer:
Oh wait, we can't have a public option that would drive down prices! We have to create a public option that will have the same prices as the industry we're trying to reform by driving down prices! That's how we'll drive down prices!

It is a Monty Python skit in real life.

[slipslidingaway]

8. Agreed - beyond pathetic :( n/t

[chimpymustgo]

9. They really do think we're STUPID. Kill the Bill.

[varelse]

4. The Senate bill doesn't really meet their description

"health reform that will wrest power from their hands and give it to American families."

Really? By forcing 30 million people to purchase a deeply flawed product?

:shrug:

[Avalux]

10. Did you read the Senate bill?

And then deduced that it would force 30 million people to purchase a deeply flawed product?

If you haven't actually read it, then maybe you should think about how foolish it is to repeat unrealiable negative information you've heard from somewhere else.

[varelse]

12. I have not read the latest iteration of it

have you read it? I doubt we'd find the number there; it defines the mandate, not the effects of it.

[Avalux]

13. I have skimmed through it but it doesn't really matter.

The final bill will not be the Senate version, it will be the merger of the Senate and House bills.

And until that's done - might be a good idea to wait on the attacks.

[varelse]

14. Critics and supporters alike are not permitted to watch the negotiations

and are only working with leaked information. What's being leaked is not indicative of a good outcome. The Senate bill, not the House bill is the basis for negotiation, and even the much-vaunted "universal" coverage is on the table now (or so we hear).

I can only think they would not have hidden the merging process from us if they expected us to approve of what they are doing. Usually people who are proud of something don't hide from TV coverage.

[Toots]

15. If it isn't almost identical to the Senate bill, Ben Nelson won't vote for it.

I am not sure he will vote to allow it on the table anyway. He really is a complete bastard..Senator Dodd said just a couple of days ago that passage was looking less likely all the time..

[slipslidingaway]

7. "Source: by Dan Pfeiffer, The White House" ...

that is really bad and so transparent, did the WH reveal the terms of their deal with Pharma in exchange for millions of ads supporting the bill.

Did the WH explain that is why Medicare will not be able to negotiate for drug prices in the proposed legislation and why the support for Dorgan's amendment disappeared.