Blue Cross Blue Shield is trying to kill "a key plank in Obama's reform platform."

[snowdays]

Past time to stop the undemocratic project of putting Single payer OFF THE TABLE PRES. OBAMA as these insurance companies are not to play nice.



I got this as an email today.

Breaking news on health care



Patrick Schmitt, MoveOn.org Political Action


2:47 PM (1 hour ago)





Blue Cross Blue Shield is trying to kill "a key plank in Obama's reform platform." So we're trying to raise $150,000 in two days to fight back. Can you chip in $25 right now?

Click Here

Dear MoveOn member,

Breaking news on health care: The Washington Post is now reporting that insurance giant Blue Cross Blue Shield "is putting the finishing touches on a public message campaign aimed at killing a key plank in Obama's reform platform."1

The Huffington Post sums it up as "Insurers Planning on Double-Crossing Obama."2

We knew the insurance companies would eventually turn on the president, but this is much sooner than expected. And they're targeting the public health insurance option—the crucial piece that will help cover everyone. So we're immediately launching a rapid-response campaign to go toe-to-toe with Blue Cross Blue Shield and win quality health care for all Americans.

We need to raise $150,000 in the next two days. It's a lot, but we'll need every penny to take on Goliath. We'll run ads, hold events, and work like crazy to get the real truth out to voters. AND we'll keep the pressure on Congress to make sure they don't get bullied into gutting the president's plan to guarantee health care coverage for everyone. Can you chip in $25 right now to make it happen?

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/blueshield.html?id=16165-15432324-fbMwATx&t=3

The public health insurance option is a key provision in Obama's plan to help cover all of us. It would finally give everyone the choice between keeping our current insurance or switching to a new, high-quality public plan. And under a public health insurance plan our premiums wouldn't subsidize CEO salaries or stockholder profits (or in this case, misleading attack ads), so we'd all save a lot on health care costs.

Plus, if we had the choice of a public plan, private insurers would have to lower rates and improve quality to compete, so they're dead set against it. Today's news just confirms that fact.

In the past, Blue Cross Blue Shield has been sued for underpaying doctors and fined for refusing to cover necessary medical treatments for their customers.3 Now, with what watchdog group Media Matters calls a "desperate attempt to deceive,"4 they've gone one step too far.

Can you chip in $25 to help stand against Blue Cross Blue Shield and pass health care reform with a strong public option?

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/blueshield.html?id=16165-15432324-fbMwATx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Patrick S., Joan, Michael, Ilyse and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "North Carolina's Blue Cross Blue Shield Trying to Kill Key Plank of Obama Plan," Washington Post, May 18, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51432&id=16165-15432324-fbMwATx&t=5

2. "Harry and Louise Are Back: Insurers Planning on Double-Crossing Obama," Huffington Post, May 18, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51433&id=16165-15432324-fbMwATx&t=6

3. "BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina's Desperate Attempt to Deceive," Media Matters, May 19. 2009
http://mediamattersaction.org/factcheck/200905190001

4. Ibid.
PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee................

[polichick]

1. I truly hope the president isn't naive enough to trust the insurance companies.

[leftofthedial]

9. he is more interested in working with the insurance companies

than he is with any of the 62% of us who would prefer a single-payer system.

I believe whatever happens, it will represent the least possible change to the current system.

[polichick]

19. It sure does seem that way - imo he's caving on all kinds of things...

...he doesn't need to cave on.

[snowdays]

10. He and the so-callled leaders of the health "Reform" are allready

attempting to make 'deals"

[vaberella]

11. Can you post an article of where you read about these "deals"? n/t

[John Q. Citizen]

13. Here you go!

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/05/17-0


http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/robert_reich/2009/05/the-health-care-cave-in.php

[vaberella]

16. Thanks. I think the articles are misleading.

I just read the article. Where is this information coming from? This is all hypotheticals and if the public option wasn't still on the table why then would BCBS create this commercial to tear apart O's goal.

Secondly if O is making deals with them, wouldn't it be realistic considering he's trying to enforce legislation so that people who want to keep their insurance can do so by a decrease in cost by the private insurance companies...that means also dealing with Big Pharma, considering Big Pharma is cost on the backs of Private Insurance for medication?!

I mean I think the arguments are weak, premature, and thirdly they just don't match any logical sense but to basically misconstrue and interpret O's position incorrectly. I mean this is obvious. Since most of it just doesn't jive. Like the article by the OP and the articles you gave basically cancel each other out and don't make sense when put together.

On a last note...what would be great is if single payer people really back the public option people so that we can make sure---that if there is a public option we make sure that shit isn't liquified to oblivion and turn out hopeless. Because we have people like Schumer and Baucus who in a sense cater to corporate entities---Schumer in particular. I can't get rid of my Senator.

In any event...I don't agree with the positions.

[John Q. Citizen]

18. Do you have a link that backs up anything you say?

[vaberella]

21. Which?

My argument is focusing on using statements made by each of the articles against each other. If you're wondering about O talking to the insurance company to bring down costs....I thought this known. He stated regularly?!

Most of it's here:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fy2010_key_healthcare/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uWDxm1cl4Q

Note:

"We will negotiate with the drug companies for the cheapest available price on drugs."

~sigh~ You watched the debates right?!

[John Q. Citizen]

22. I watched the debates. I attended camp Obama and opened a campaign office and

Obama's COO Betsy Myers told me if the people called for it, Obama would consider all ideas, including single payer.

so I'm still calling for it and waiting...

Did you work for the campaign too?

[vaberella]

23. Yup..I volunteered. ^_^

And sent money through DU in their funding drives. I have issues with putting my name on a system.

Did you watch the Health Summit 2009? Lots of single payer people, actually the panel I was watching was 98% single payer advocates. The only person who was against it was a private insurance company, maybe it was a well known one.

I think the main problem with single payer is are they willing to make concessions. Single payer doesn't allow concessions from what I can gather---not to mention single payer would NEVER get through the Senate. I'd hope they'd join the public option to push their agenda---but only the ones willing to make concessions. I'm a universal health care supporter, so I will push anything that pushes that initiative.

[John Q. Citizen]

24. Sure we do. We are willing to give up having insurance companies in return for health care.

Don't worry about the senate, Obama will tweak them.

I'm sure if Obama called on the people to get it though the Senate, it would happen. Wydon is up for election in 2010 as is Schumenr and Lincoln.Obama could campaign for there opponants and they would lose and they know it.

After all, all the polls for the last 6 monmths show about 60% of the American people favor single payer.

If we can elect a Black man president, single payer should be a snap.

[vaberella]

25. That's the only thing I don't believe.

I don't trust the Dems in Senate. I don't trust Schumer. Single payer is in and out. A couple of commercial and that would change.

Further more, to be honest. I'm not that much of a fan of single payer overall. I have some issues considering how faulty health care is and reform is necessary. I studied Health Economics and Public Finance, what we think we know...we don't. There's a lot of dirty dealing and single payer would be chaotic. A progression towards is great. The public option opens up choice the flood of people within that option will totally crowd out private insurance---however during that time we can build up concrete support, kill insurance companies for good, and definitely focus on building the resources to sustain universal health care. Further more...shit...I really want free gym membership included in the public option like in Alabama....well I think it's Alabama.

[John Q. Citizen]

26. You are opposed to FDIC, Social Security, and the VA? Those are all single payer systems and while

not perfect, they work pretty well.

You would prefer what bush wanted a public private Social Security System, instead of the current single payer system we've has since the 1930's?

Well everyone has an opinion, and you have yours, but it seems pretty far to the right. Even Baucus rejected the bush private public plan.

Could you imagine what would have happened with the melt down of capitalism and the fall of the market? We would have been bailing out social security, the VA, and all those insured bank accounts might not have been covered. Two or three times the expense to everyone.

We didn't phase in FDIC, VA or Social security. We just did the right thing and weren't all timid about it.

I can't figure out how we can afford not to do single payer health care. We already spend double per capita the next most expensive system in the world, and that's Canada. Not doing single payer and covering everyone will be unaffordable I think.

[snowdays]

32. You are kind, as

it seems that v. does not have a google finger.

[polichick]

20. Yeah, so far I'm not impressed with the process. nt

[MannyGoldstein]

2. Obama Learned Nothing From The HillaryCare Debacle

Clinton tried to work with the insurers, and got her ass handed to her.

Obama tried to work with the insurers, and...

My daddy taught me that the only way to deal with a bully is to hit 'em in the head with a 2x4 and say "that's for nothing... wait and see what happens when I get *pissed*"

Hopefully it won't take another 16 years for us to try again.

[redqueen]

3. Was a public option *ever* a part of Hillary's plan? (nt)

[MannyGoldstein]

4. It's Not Part of Obama's Plan Either

Actually, HillaryCare was so complex that is was everything and nothing at the same time.

[redqueen]

6. So the WaPo just made that part up?

They're claiming this is a key plank in his plan... to trick us?

[John Q. Citizen]

8. baucus is writing a plan intended to get widespread bi-partisan support. It's not certain whether

a public pool will be part of it or not.

A public pool would compete with taxpayer subsidized private insurance companies.


So we would subsidize the private insurance companies so they have the money to fight against any public pool that was passed, if one was passed.

Obama isn't submitting a bill. He's been working with Baucus and presumably in touch with Kennedy.


Though Obama has been completely quiet as to what may or may not be in any final bill.

From the finance committee it's leaked out that they are considering mandates that would require people to purchase insurance, even if it's a crappy policy.

[LooseWilly]

29. I seem to remember that Obama explicitly argued against mandated insurance

during the primaries. It was one of the few distinctions between his and Hillary's Health Care Plans.

I'm going to just stick my fingers in my ears and chant "lalalala" for a few minutes, and pretend this information isn't leaking out. If the mandate goes in, and the public option is taken out... that would be beyond perversion of what was talked about in the primaries.

If it goes down that way... they'll have to try to catch me, cause I personally won't be buying insurance from any of the HMOs until they start charging a reasonable price... which this info suggests should start happening... never.

[PassingFair]

27. A "Medicare-like" program available to all was certainly part of his plan.

Obama’s key components here include:

* Establishing a new public program that would look a lot like Medicare for those under age-65 that would be available to those who do not have access to an employer plan or qualify for existing government programs like Medicaid or SCHIP. This would also be open to small employers who do not offer a private plan.
* Creating a “National Health Insurance Exchange.” This would be a government-run marketing organization that would sell insurance plans directly to those who did not have an employer plan or public coverage.
* An employer “pay or play” provision that would require an employer to either provide health insurance or contribute toward the cost of a public plan.
* Mandating that families cover all children through either a private or public health insurance plan.
* Expanding eligibility for government programs, like Medicaid and SCHIP.
* Allow flexibility in embracing state health reform initiatives.

Obama would also mandate guaranteed insurability, a generous minimum comprehensive benefits package such as that required for federal workers, the ability to take their policy from one job to another (portability) when it is purchased through the new Medicare-like public plan or the "National Health Insurance Exchange," and he would require providers to participate in a new plan to collect and report data about standards of care, the use of health information technology, and administration.

[TankLV]

28. Yes. It was THE main feature. SIngle Payer. THAT'S whay it failed.

[redqueen]

33. I'm not sure that's the case.

I think it only left the door open for states to do that on their own.

[vaberella]

12. What are you talking about?!

Of course he's talking to the insurance companies. HE HAS TOO!! Did you forget he wants to lower insurance costs for fools who want to still pay for insurance. So who is he supposed to work with!? :wtf:

You make it seem like this is not on the table or shouldn't be. Of course it should. Ugh.

[John Q. Citizen]

14. Lower insurance costs=subsidize private insurance companies with tax dollars

[vaberella]

17. give me an article where that comes from....I don't know what you're getting that from. n/t

[John Q. Citizen]

5. I got that too. I unsubscribed yet again. How stupid is this:

The Obama (Baucus, Obama isn't submitting a bill) "plan" would use public tax dollars to subsidize private insurance companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)

So Move on wants me to make a donation so they can help pass the "Baucus plan" (Which is the Obama plan, + mandates) so that private insurance companies can use those tax dollars to run ads against the "bone for progressive" in the Baucus plan?

Why doesn't Move on or Obama Fight Back! by removing the plank from the Obama plan that calls for tax payer subsidies for private insurance companies like BCBS?

Sorry, no sale.

[snowdays]

30. I thought

I had unsubscribed a while back, but it showed up in my box. The last thing I would do would be to give money for this stupidity.

[janx]

7. Blue Cross/Blue Shield is disaster insurance.

You have to be a resident of the state the funds go into to be covered--at least that has been my experience. About 15 years ago, when I moved from one state to another and presented my Blue Cross/Blue Shield creds in a doctor's office, they all but refused to see me.

[supernova]

15. This was on the evening news here

But they did have a heathcare reform advocate to counteract it, so it was a balanced story.

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/5177398/

N.C. insurance giant opposed Obama's health plan
Posted: Today at 6:32 p.m.
Updated: 35 minutes ago

RALEIGH, N.C. — The state's largest health insurance provider is stepping into the national health-care debate, saying the president's national health insurance plan could have a negative impact on quality care and its bottom line.

Company spokesman Lew Borman said Tuesday that although Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina supports the concept of health-care reform with affordable access for everyone, the company believes a government program could force out private insurers.

"We're concerned about what it means, as to how it would impact our business," Borman said. "How level would the playing field be?"

President Barack Obama has said that one of the top priorities for his administration is to provide affordable, accessible health coverage to every American – more than 45 million are without it, including 1.5 million people in North Carolina.

[snowdays]

31. So, which "reform" plan did this advocate represent?

[redqueen]

34. WOW! They got almost *double* what they were asking for!

:woohoo: