Amy Goodman: Health Insurance Whistle-Blower Knows Where the Bodies Are Buried

[marmar]

from Truthdig:



Health Insurance Whistle-Blower Knows Where the Bodies Are Buried

Posted on Jul 14, 2009
By Amy Goodman


Wendell Potter is the health insurance industry’s worst nightmare. He’s a whistle-blower. Potter, the former chief spokesperson for insurance giant CIGNA, recently testified before Congress, “I saw how they confuse their customers and dump the sick—all so they can satisfy their Wall Street investors.”

Potter was deeply involved in CIGNA and industrywide strategies for maintaining their profitable grip on U.S. health care. He told me: “The thing they fear most is a single-payer plan. They fear even the public insurance option being proposed; they’ll pull out all the stops they can to defeat that to try to scare people into thinking that embracing a public health insurance option would lead down the slippery slope toward socialism ... putting a government bureaucrat between you and your doctor. They’ve used those talking points for years, and they’ve always worked.”

In 2007, CIGNA denied a California teenager, Nataline Sarkisyan, coverage for a liver transplant. Her family went to the media. The California Nurses Association joined in. Under mounting pressure, CIGNA finally granted coverage for the procedure. But it was too late. Two hours later, Nataline died.

While visiting family in Tennessee, Potter stopped at a “medical expedition” in Wise, Va. People drove hours for free care from temporary clinics set up in animal stalls at the local fairground. Potter told me that weeks later, flying on a CIGNA corporate jet with the CEO: “I realized that someone’s premiums were helping me to travel that way ... paying for my lunch on gold-trimmed china. I thought about those men and women I had seen in Wise County ... not having any idea (how) insurance executives lived.” He decided he couldn’t be an industry PR hack anymore. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20090714_health-insurance_whistle_blower_knows_where_the_bodies_are_buried/

[Stuart G]

1. K and R..thanks for posting this ..outstanding..nr

[izquierdista]

2. If you like this

You should see the hour long interview he did with Bill Moyers. Here's part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-M10jDkmm0

[fasttense]

12. Yes, that was a very good interview to. n/t

[valerief]

3. I wonder if Potter has health insurance. nt

[quidam56]

4. This is quality health care in Wise County, VA

As a former health care giver, I am shocked and saddened to see what has become of health care in America. $ 1. 4 million is being spent per day in DC by the health care lobbyists so your elected representative is getting taken care of and has quality health care we pay for and can't afford ourselves for our families, I know what is deemed, defended and supported in Tennessee and Virginia as quality health care and clearly profit care comes ahead of patient care. http://www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=62 MRSA ( methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureas ) is infesting our communities because filthy, uncaring hospitals and emergency rooms are breeding them and spreading them into our schools, homes, restaurants. How many more Americans' will be diseased or die while 74 % of Americans' are begging for health care reform ? More people died in America last year from MRSA complications than AIDS. When MRSA and a flu bug start mixing, it won't be pretty and we are being infected by the very health care system we depend on and trust to keep us safe and healthy.

[Auggie]

5. "The thing they fear most is single-payer"

That to me confirms it's the best option.

[davidwparker]

6. I respect people when they open their eyes to what their industry does and

then walks away from it.

[dana_b]

8. me too

it takes a lot of courage and conviction. I wish some of our legislators would follow suit not by walking away, but by sticking up for what over 65% of the U.S. wants - universal and govt. sponsored health care.

[MrMickeysMom]

9. That's the most stunning thing.. that more don't... or, ANY don't!

Not one legislator that I'm aware of has said, a la "Talking Heads" style, "..My God... What have I done?"

Don't you think one of them after years and years of having the industry control health care policy and pharmaceutical use could walk away?

Just one?

[DaLittle Kitty]

20. If You'll Recall, John Edwards Was All Over This During The Campaign!

See some of these aspects here...

http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=35

[sce56]

7. Ahh I miss Amy in the morning on my way to work for the headlines alone yet not this week

The Sotomayor hearings preempted here here on the Left coast!

[808]

10. WE NEED A PUBLIC OPTION

WASHINGTON STATE RESIDENTS - CALL MARIA CANTWELL'S OFFICE NOW. Toll Free: 1-888-648-7328

Maria Cantwell does not support a single payer health care system, and she has remained UNACCEPTABLY VAGUE on supporting a public option. She is in the pockets of Big Insurance while millions of Americans suffer.

She calls herself a Democrat! Let her know you will not support her in the next election - if she does not support you now. She must show a spine and support Single Payer or a Public Option NOW. 



SENATOR MARIA CANTWELL'S Office Toll Free: 1-888-648-7328

[notesdev]

11. Hate to tell you

but neither single payer nor public option would have paid for that girl's (Sarkisyan's) liver transplant; even with the operation her survival chances were too low.

People need to get a grip on the fact that sometimes, people who are dying and desperate will have to be told 'no'. Whoever is stuck in the position of having to turn down someone for treatment is going to be perceived as a demon, no matter who that person works for.

[sonofspy777]

13. Really?

From Britain's hepatitis.org FAQ
http://www.hepatitis.org.uk/s-crina/transplants/transplant_faqs.htm#8

8. What are the overall chances of surviving a liver transplant?

This depends on many factors but overall 60 -75% of adult patients and 80 - 90% of children survive and are discharged from the hospital.

The story from the PROFESSIONALS at bedside:
RN's Statement on Death of Nataline Sarkisyan: 'CIGNA Should Have Listened to Her Doctors And Approved the Transplant a Week Ago'
http://www.calnurses.org/media-center/press-releases/2007/december/rn-s-statement-on-death-of-nataline-sarkisyan-cigna-should-have-listened-to-her-doctors-and-approved-the-transplant-a-week-ago.html

me? I was a licensed nurse... :hi:

[midnight]

16. Thank you. It is amazing what we are told is the only way.

It is nice to know that there is another opinion.

[LaurenG]

14. Well had her parents been wealthy I'm afraid they could have figured out a way to try.

Not that what you said is untrue, just that money talks. If you are rich or famous you will suddenly be a viable candidate in more cases than not.

[midnight]

17. Having money does open up more options.

[glowing]

15. My SIL works for BC & BS.. She processes military claims.

Every year she has to process more claims with less time.. and their dept gets demolished each time contract is up.. The CEO owns a private island.

[DailyGrind51]

18. Thank you very much!

Steve Chapman, a columnist for the "Chicago Tribune", wrote a column published today opposing the public option and I forwarded Amy Goodman's article to his e-mail address three minutes ago.

[Myrina]

19. Nice that he's seen the light, but has he given any of his $$ to those clinics?

Or is he still "travel that way ... lunch on gold-trimmed china ..." and living "(how)insurance executives lived.” ??


:shrug: