Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

Cigna - FAIL, a blurb from their sorry a$$ take on health care reform:

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010) Donate to DU
 
The Straight Story Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-08-09 01:36 PM
Original message
Cigna - FAIL, a blurb from their sorry a$$ take on health care reform:
Access

"Too many people don't have coverage."

Although almost 250 million Americans have health care coverage, some 46 million are uninsured for at least part of the year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This is unacceptable. The continued shortage of doctors, nurses, and clinicians doesn't help. No one should be locked out of the health care system because of their age or a pre-existing condition. And for many people who do have coverage, the system is confusing and hard to navigate.
See what CIGNA is doing today to address access concerns


---So you click on it and THIS is what they are doing to help:
Expanded Access (note they only answer the access part for people already with insurance and ignore the other problems they listed - ie, they are doing NOTHING)

* Around the clock availability: We are available 24/7 with live customer service, our Employee Assistance Program, our nurse-staffed health information line, and our behavioral health specialists. So we're there when our customers need us at whatever time or day works best for them, helping them better mange their health.
* Making health care easier to understand: People shouldn't be intimidated by paperwork or verbiage. We're working to remove insurance speak from our communications to help make health care easier to understand. This way, people can be more informed about their health and their benefits. At the same time, we're working to reduce the volume of paper-based communications we send out the door.


And then there is this:

Challenges with a Government-Run Plan

One of the focal points of the health care debate revolves around whether the private or public sector or a combination of both is best equipped to run the U.S. health care system. We believe neither the government nor the private sector can do this alone. In fact, such a plan is not even necessary given the other marketplace reforms already under way to improve quality, provide greater information transparency to the public, expand access, and encourage greater accountability for each individual to better manage his or her own health. In light of this progress, a government-run plan would:


* Threaten employer-based coverage. More than 165 million Americans rely on employer-provided health care coverage. And every survey of individuals with private coverage shows very high satisfaction. An independent analysis by the Lewin Group found that millions of employees would lose their private coverage and be forced to join a new government-run health plan. People will reject proposals that could put at risk their employer-sponsored coverage.

* Turn back the clock on quality. Patients have embraced health plans' innovative programs to coordinate care, manage chronic conditions, and promote prevention and wellness. Experience shows that government-run programs lack the infrastructure, expertise and experience to do the same.

* Worsen cost-shifting. A new government-run plan would exacerbate the already devastating impact of cost-shifting from public health insurance programs to people and businesses in the private sector. Doctors and hospitals across the country say that government-run health insurance programs such as Medicaid pay them less than it costs to treat their patients. These underpayments impose a hidden tax of more than $1,700 on individuals and employers who end up paying significantly higher premiums.

* Be fiscally irresponsible. How can the nation afford a new government-run health insurance plan when Medicare's trustees say the program will begin running a deficit as early as 2016 and that the program faces a $44 trillion unfunded liability? A new government-run health insurance plan will only further increase the burden of debt placed on future generations.

* Create an uneven playing field. A new government-run health insurance plan would not enhance competition in the health insurance marketplace. The government would not negotiate; it would set prices and set the rules in its favor. It's akin to a football game in which one player gets to be both the referee and a player on the field.

* Threaten patients' access and choice. Under a government-run health insurance plan, the government could set reimbursement rates that don't allow doctors and hospitals to cover their costs. Some doctors and hospitals might not be able to afford to provide care to patients.

http://www.cigna.com/about_us/healthcareReform.html
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top

Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010) Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC