Whistle-blower: Health care industry engaging in PR tactics

[Arius]

Whistle-blower: Health care industry engaging in PR tactics - CNN.com

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Wendell Potter knows a little something about the health care industry's practices and is not afraid of to speak out as the health care reform debate heats up around the country.
Wendell Potter once was a vice president in the public relations department for insurance giant Cigna.

Wendell Potter once was a vice president in the public relations department for insurance giant Cigna.

The former vice president of corporate communications at insurance giant Cigna, who left his post, says the industry is playing "dirty tricks" in an effort to manipulate public opinion.

Uh oh, an insider telling the TRUTH. I guess he is now an enemy of the GOP as well. Lord knows, if the truth sides with a Democrat, it must not be TRUE!!

Now a senior fellow on health care for the watchdog group Center for Media and Democracy, Potter writes a blog on health care reform. He is focusing on efforts to defeat legislation supporting a government health care plan -- something he supports.

Wait, he supports a government health care plan??? No way...

In early July, Potter testified before the Senate Commerce Committee, telling senators that "I know from personal experience that members of Congress and the public have good reason to question the honesty and trustworthiness of the insurance industry."

THEY DO??? Wait, the insurance industry is great! How dare he!!!

Potter described how underwriters at his former company would drive small businesses with expensive insurance claims to dump their Cigna policies. Industry executives refer to the practice as "purging," Potter said.

"When that business comes up for renewal, the underwriters jack the rates up so much, the employer has no choice but to drop insurance," Potter had said.

Wait, can the GOP be pro-small business AND pro-insurance? I wonder which ones line GOP pockets heavier....hhhhhmmmmmm....I would venture a guess it isn't Mom & Pop.

Potter also has said he decided to resign in 2007 after Cigna's controversial handling of an insurance claim made by the family of a California teenager, Nataline Sarkysian.

The Sarkysian family made repeated appeals at news conferences for Cigna to approve a liver transplant for the 17-year-old, who had leukemia. Cigna initially declined to cover the operation, then reversed its decision.

And OHH thinks "they" want to demonize the health insurance industry. See, those with any kind of humanity to them cannot, in good conscience, work in the insurance industry. Why?

[oldhardhead]

The Democrats are engaging in Alinsky tactics!


American Thinker: Obama's Nazi Straw man: An Old Alinsky Trick

You got to give ole Saul a little credit. He was one wily deceiver, right after his hero, Deceiver in Spades, Lucifer.

When I saw this video interview of Bill Burton, White House Deputy Press Secretary, I could not help but be reminded of one of old Saul Alinsky's favorite fake-em-out tricks of the revolutionary trade. Burton is reinforcing Pelosi's earlier claim that people were carrying Swastikas at town halls, but goes even further and claims that folks are actually "dressing up like Hitler."

Shameful! Shame on the left!!!

Google Images

It's quite disheartening, now, to see the top echelons of the Democratic Party using Alinsky tactics in an attempt to freeze political dialogue, most especially when that dialogue is about the most intimate service we Americans procure for ourselves and our families: our medical care.

Nevertheless, they've decided to go at this whole hog, even if it means stripping off their dignity and parading their political bloomers right out in the public square.

When Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and now the president's own deputy press secretary conjure up images of Nazis at healthcare town halls, they are engaging in one of the oldest tricks in anyone's book, but an especial favorite of their mentor, Saul Alinsky.

Quite disheartening. Quite disheartening indeed.



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[Pineygirl]

It's quite disheartening, now, to see the top echelons of the Democratic Party using Alinsky tactics in an attempt to freeze political dialogue, most especially when that dialogue is about the most intimate service we Americans procure for ourselves and our families: our medical care.

Nevertheless, they've decided to go at this whole hog, even if it means stripping off their dignity and parading their political bloomers right out in the public square.

When Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and now the president's own deputy press secretary conjure up images of Nazis at healthcare town halls, they are engaging in one of the oldest tricks in anyone's book, but an especial favorite of their mentor, Saul Alinsky.

One can only hope that the American people will continue to disbelieve what they are being told, and do their own research.

I have often found that the angrier people are at someone, and the more they start piling on, the more likely that someone is telling the truth. Because sometimes, truth hurts.

[Arius]

Originally Posted by Pineygirl

One can only hope that the American people will continue to disbelieve what they are being told, and do their own research.

I have often found that the angrier people are at someone, and the more they start piling on, the more likely that someone is telling the truth. Because sometimes, truth hurts.

It looks as if you only hope that doing "their own research" means stopping with what conservative blogs and radio talk show hosts would tell them. In this manner, you can keep the truth from hurting so much.

How you can believe this stuff just proves a lot, and sadly it speaks volumes to why this nation is floundering.

So far, I have offered points on here that you have not been able to argue against...you can only keep trying to outflank the discussion with meaningless diversions. That is why we are no longer the greatest nation on earth.

[oldhardhead]

Originally Posted by Arius

So far, I have offered points on here that you have not been able to argue against...

Where was that?

you can only keep trying to outflank the discussion with meaningless diversions. That is why we are no longer the greatest nation on earth.

We are the greatest nation on God's green earth.

You say we aren't because of our "diversions?" Wittle ol us did all dat all by us-selves? Weelwey?

What an ego!!!!

[Pineygirl]

Originally Posted by Arius

So far, I have offered points on here that you have not been able to argue against...you can only keep trying to outflank the discussion with meaningless diversions. That is why we are no longer the greatest nation on earth.

The insurance industry believes there's something in the plan for them. It's as simple as that. AARP believe there's something in it for them (writing some policies, perhaps). It's as simple as that.

The insurance industry is sick and tired of trying to meet 50 different state requirements for the same policy!!!!! If the administration would just eliminate those state differences there would be reduction in costs almost immediately.

Have we forgotten when NJ loosened the requirements for auto insurance? Whoooo-HOOOO! Competition! The rates went down!

WHY is that so hard for people to understand?

[SheriB]

Originally Posted by oldhardhead

Where was that?

We are the greatest nation on God's green earth.

No, we are the greatest, best country that God ever gave man on the face of the earth. Sean Hannity told me so.

[Pineygirl]

Originally Posted by SheriB

No, we are the greatest, best country that God ever gave man on the face of the earth.

Well, name one that's better. In ALL respects. And tell us why.

[Arius]

Originally Posted by oldhardhead

Where was that?

We are the greatest nation on God's green earth.

You say we aren't because of our "diversions?" Wittle ol us did all dat all by us-selves? Weelwey?

What an ego!!!!

Nowhere OHH...don't worry about it, you just keep meandering in your lost daze looking for the boogie man around every corner. Be well.

[Arius]

Originally Posted by Pineygirl

The insurance industry believes there's something in the plan for them. It's as simple as that. AARP believe there's something in it for them (writing some policies, perhaps). It's as simple as that.

The insurance industry is sick and tired of trying to meet 50 different state requirements for the same policy!!!!! If the administration would just eliminate those state differences there would be reduction in costs almost immediately.

Have we forgotten when NJ loosened the requirements for auto insurance? Whoooo-HOOOO! Competition! The rates went down!

WHY is that so hard for people to understand?

Auto rates did not start declining in earnest until about 2006. It took that long.

And auto is different that health, particularly in the actuarial component. One can easily track tiers in auto because it is a fixed property with consistent claim and premium history. Let there be a Katrina-like storm here and see how quickly insurance companies pull out or find ways to not pay claims.

And if you think for one second that major health insurers don't love the 50 state system you are nuts. I once commented on my need for licenses in the states I sold in to an executive who said, "would you like to take the hit for the rednecks in Alabama?" They love the system, particularly in well-to-do areas.

Again, insurance is NOT about competitiveness for policies, it is about competitiveness for policies that are likely not to pay. Poor people are not desirable to insurance companies because of low FICO scores and the more likely payout. The poor are less likely to be healthy, are more likely to have auto claims, and more likely to be late in payments, so they get the shaft on the insurance side. They simply are not the kind of customers that insurers wish to underwrite.

As for the basis of your opinion, I am not sure of its genesis but can say I don't think you have a grasp for the plan, the industry, or just how much you pay for what you get. It's not a value added purchase, in fact it is most likely the largest waste of money in your portfolio.