Blue Cross sent me a postage-prepaid postcard to send to my Senator opposing a Public Option (PICS)

[Lex]

So I'm using Blue Cross's postage to send MY message. Thanks Blue Cross for the postage. (If you get one, please consider doing the same.)

[Kerrytravelers]

1. Well done. If I get one, I will do the same.

:thumbsup:

[Paper Roses]

13. Me too.

[47of74]

27. I don't have Blue Cross, but if UHC tries anything similiar...

I will do the same.

[TheCoxwain]

116. me too ... I have UHC .. I hope the company goes down in flames

[trof]

150. You may not have the option, but I just dumped UHC.

MediCare supplemental.
Went with Mutual of Omaha.
Screw UHC.

[Occulus]

50. Be sure to affix it to a brick or a rock- see my post below n/t

[Liberty Belle]

130. Brick trick reminds me of a funny story -- and true:

Years ago a local publisher stiffed a bunch of writers on payments. Turned out he was a professional con man, constantly starting new publications and not paying writers. He didn't own a thing, leased all his office supplies even so there was no way to collect a judgment.

One writer, however, got revenge. Since he also did photographer, he had been given the publisher's Federal Express account number. So he mailed the publisher a box of bricks, carefully weighed to equal the amount he was owed, and enclosed a note that said "Now you know what it feels like to get ripped off for $365!"

[adamuu]

135. Thanks. hehe. n/t

[drm604]

155. This won't work.

The PO will not deliver it and the permit holder won't be charged for it. All you're doing is placing an extra burden on the PO employees. Not only that, you could be charged with abuse of the mails.

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/566/can-i-mail-a-brick-back-to-a-junk-mail-firm-using-the-business-reply-envelope

[jasi2006]

54. They wouldn't have to raise premiums if they would stop shit like this. nt

[cyclezealot]

80. They can waste money on crap like this

We need the public option .

[TheEuclideanOne]

139. The have an obligation to their shareholders

You don't think they raise premiums in order to keep up with costs, do you? That is just a side issue. Profit is motive #1.

[bjobotts]

143. Or paying their CEOs $ 1.7 billion compensation packages or $10 mil/yr

[CreekDog]

107. Make a copy of it and send it to Blue Cross while you are at it

they need to know how you feel and what you think of their outreach (and that you're Senator now knows how you feel too).

[Hissyspit]

146. Will do. See my photos below at Post #141. nt

[tmyers09]

2. HA!

Sheer brilliance!

[wolfgirl]

3. great way to get your point across &

save a bit of change at the same time!

[lonestarnot]

4. I want one!

[glinda]

83. me too! how fun is that?

[teamster633]

5. Amazing shameless, aren't they?

Why am I not surprised?

[Lex]

14. I'm self-employed & insured with them at an astonomical premium

and I've never been sick a day in my life (except a cold or flu, never in the hospital a day except when I was born). Extortion is what it is. Screw them.

[UndertheOcean]

6. The vultures fell into that one ! COOL !

:)

[sandnsea]

7. And they're a non-profit n/t

[barbtries]

60. the company may be

but i doubt their executives are.

[stlsaxman]

121. BCBS is no longer "not-for-profit". They were bought up some years ago.

just an FYI... :hi:

[Lex]

122. No, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC has non-profit status

(which is of course, BS) but it is a non-profit.

[stlsaxman]

126. I stand corrected- sort of... from Wiki:

Since the Tax Reform Act of 1986, organizations administering Blue Cross Blue Shield plans lost their full tax-exempt status. They became 501(m) organizations, subject to federal taxation but entitled to "special tax benefits."<6>. Some plans are still considered not-for-profit at the state level.

So at the state level some are... but their owners are still king.

[dflprincess]

174. In Minnesota BCBS is still a non-profit company

which is nice as it subjects it to overview by the Attorney General's office.

[Vickers]

8. Bravo! Bravo!

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[marmar]

9. Excellent.....Va te faire foutre to these Health Insurance Industry swine.

KnR

[eleny]

10. Wait! Wait!

I wonder if Hagan's office is aware of this letter and would just stack yours in an opened pile of them to take a count?

Perhaps writing something across the bottom front like "I support gov't health care".

Just a thought. :hi:

[Lex]

11. I may do that in RED ink.

thanks

[adamuu]

23. good idea. Why not color the edges of the card to make it really stand out in a stack

Especially the edges so it is clear there is something wrong with the stack
Red tint to represent http://namesofthedead.com/ ?

[MrsBrady]

12. good work! n/t

[MidwestTransplant]

15. Maybe write I support Public Option on the envelope so they don't not open it

thinking it is another piece of mail opposing.

[Lex]

18. It's a post card

no envelope

[Journeyman]

19. That was my first thought: The Senator's office knows those letters are being solicited. . .

why bother opening it when they "know" what's inside.

[Lex]

22. It's NOT being "opened" -- it's a POSTcard. I will write in red on the front

and back.

[Journeyman]

24. Then you should not have called it a "letter" in the OP. . .

[Lex]

29. well, I changed it, you wonderful person you

nt

[Journeyman]

34. Words mean something. . .

as does attitude. And with that, I'll bid you good day.

[Lex]

36. Thanks for all your help with this.

:hi:

[adamuu]

16. Alot of nerve sending that to you in the first place.

Is that even legal?

This looks like Countdown material to me.

[Lex]

20. I'm hoping it will come to the attention

of those that will investigate them doing this in the first place.

[EFerrari]

17. Isn't this an example of the "administrative" costs that make insurance prohibitive?

Which looks like code for "the cost of buying Congress".

Heaven help these people if we ever get it together to withhold donations and taxes. They'd have to go back to working for us.

[adamuu]

26. good point. n/t

[ThomCat]

21. Good Job! Make them pay for lobbying for Our Side for a change!

:applause:

[adamuu]

25. This is going to rocket to the front page. *salutes* n/t

[JackRiddler]

28. Eleny is right - this unfortunately is likely to backfire.

Once they get just a few of these form letters, the Senate office staff will recognize it by envelope and put it in a pile labeled "Blue Cross." They'll look at it because they want to see if you put in a readable name and address for their database, but as the process will be semi-industrial there's no guarantee the staff will notice that you edited the letter. At the end of the process they'll tell the Senator how many they got of the various types of letters.

[Lex]

31. I think I'll call her office tomorrow and make sure they know to sort the postcards

according the message.

[adamuu]

44. brilliant! are you really going to do that? n/t

[Lex]

48. yes, her office should know about this

[JackRiddler]

58. Yes, and so should everyone else who does this...

That will make the message abundantly clear.

[Occulus]

49. Not if people tape these things to a brick or a rock or something

This is BRM (business reply mail). See the postmark? BCBS has agreed to pay the postage. They assume it will cost them the price of a first-class stamp. However, they still have to pay it in the end.

So, everyone who gets these should tape the reply envelope to something heavy and worthless. A brick is perfect, but a good-sized rock will do in a pinch. If everyone did this, those little reply envelopes would cost BCBS thousands of dollars, or more, in the end. The USPS will still sort it and send it (and charge them for the weight of the mailing!), and we will get to send a strong message.

Every dollar BCBS spent on these could have been spent on a patient, but they don't want to spend money on the patients they insure. Since they're so keen on spending money in places where they shouldn't be spending money, I think we all should take it upon themselves to force them into paying through the nose for this.

[JackRiddler]

56. That's friggin brilliant.

I don't know if it will work, but I love it!

[Randypiper]

100. Won't work

According to rule 917.243(b) in the Domestic Mail Manual, when a business reply card is "improperly used as a label"--e.g., when it's affixed to a brick--the item so labeled may be treated as "waste." That means the post office can heave it into the trash without further ado.

[northernlights]

103. it will not backfire

If you take the time to read through and look at the pix, it's 1. not a letter but a postcard and 2.clearly makred on front and back in big red letters I SUPPORT PUBLIC OPTION.

OP is brilliantly letting BCBS spend their money pushing OP's point.

GREAT JOB!!!!! :hi:

[JackRiddler]

132. I'm coming to agreee with you - a strong exterior look is important.

& if people consistently did the same thing, it would be more obvious. So this thread is an example of why Internet discussion boards can generate effective action.

[Garbo 2004]

30. Blue Cross admits it fears real competiton in marketplace. BC is against consumer choice.

Brilliant.

Someone should make an ad based on this. As health insurance CEOs' compensation scrolls across the screen: "Blue Cross fears real competition in the marketplace. Why don't they want you to have a real choice in healthcare options? They and the other insurance corporations want to keep premiums high and be the ones to decide what healthcare you can have. Tell Congress you want real consumer choice and real competition. Support the public health care option and tell those insurance executives that you don't want to pay for their multimillion dollar lifestyles anymore."

[beac]

164. Your ad idea is great!

You should send it to one of the pro-reform NP's.

:applause:

[intheflow]

32. So glad they're using your premiums to print

propaganda AND pay for the postage to send it to your representative. No conflict of interest there! :crazy: Do they also prepay the postage on the envelopes they send with your bills? I'm sure not, and I'm sure they justify that as a cost-savings to you, their loyal insured person.

Good on you for editing the letter and sharing it with us! :hi:

[slay]

33. I live in NC too - brilliant

use their own pre-paid shit against them. bravo. k&r.

[malaise]

35. Send them to KO, Rachel and

Bill Moyers. Also send them to your local newspaper. Shame these criminals who prey on the sick.

[Hepburn]

86. I had the same thought on this! GMTA! n/t

[Lex]

37. self-delete

[HillWilliam]

38. I haven't gotten one yet, but if I do, I'll make SURE

Sen Hagan gets it as emended! BCBS/NC are some sunsabitches, with whom I've got several bones to pick. This little bit of chutzpah on their part will be well-paid.

And :hi: neighbor.

[left coaster]

39. Props to you, Lex!

:)

[adamuu]

40. Nice. Color the edges? It will be in a big stack, right? n/t

[Lex]

43. yes

coloring the edges

[adamuu]

45. hehe sorry to get all excited about this

:)

[tool_of_the_people]

41. BCBS isn't gonna like this . . . one bit!

But I sure the hell do!

BTW- my wife did this last week. Have you been seeing my wife behind my back, Lex?

[Lex]

47. Well, I threw the baseball around with her last Wednesday

night--but you were there! :)

[adamuu]

42. Another edit: Cross of "the private sector" and write "blood-sucking insurance companies"

or something to that effect.

The private sector is not inherently bad. It's bad when big profits are associated with systematic failure to make sick Americans whole again.

Up to you of course.

[Road Scholar]

46. Very Good! K&R

[dixiegrrrrl]

51. Your insurance co. is spending YOUR money to entice YOU to lobby for THEM?

Is that even legal?
shouldn't you send them a bill for lobbying?

[Lex]

52. yeah, swell, huh?

unbelievable

[Occulus]

55. I'll say it again: tape 'em to a brick

THEY pay the postage, regardless, and we at the USPS charge by weight, even for BRM cards.

I'm not suggesting this to help the USPS make money (full disclosure- I'm a USPS employee), I'm suggesting this to cost BCBS money. If they want to spend it on this rather than on their insured customers, then we should take it upon ourselves to make them pay and pay and pay. They handed everyone who got these a blank check. It's up to us to write in a few zeroes.

[dixiegrrrrl]

66. You are serious? The PO WILL deliver a brick???

I thought that was an urban legend or something.
If true, so good to know.



edit for typo.

[Bozita]

71. Here's hoping Senator Hagan gets enough bricks to build a McMansion.

[MajorChode]

118. It won't work

In order to meat the standards for that type of prepaid postage, it has to be machine readable. If it doesn't go through the machine, it doesn't go to the destination.

[Liberty Belle]

128. Yse. I once mailed a coconut; slapped a label on the shell and it was received.

[adamuu]

137. hehe well you only live once. n/t

[oedura]

70. And who do you think will be covering that extra expense?

The BCBS executives, or the people covered by their insurance?

[dixiegrrrrl]

97. As a PO employee, can you answer the concerns below in this OP?

Specifically, is it legal for BC/BS to sue their business postal permit to have mail sent to a Senator?

And if the Senator uses that mail for any political activity, is that not tax payer funded ( indirectly)???

[Veruca Salt]

101. Would adding shipping insurance to the brick cost the shipper

or BC? Because that would be poetic justice if it would cost BC extra to insure the brick. }(

[Liberty Belle]

129. Be sure to let BCBS know about this "advice" being circulated.

You might also post a letter to newspaper editors urging them to let their readers know about the brick trick.

[drm604]

158. No.

This won't work and you could get in trouble. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6853620#6858350

[Lifelong Protester]

53. Excellent!

I did the same with Republican propaganda sent to me during the campaign, especially the grossest distortions (the whole Ayers thing, the 'promoting sex education for kindergartners' thing, etc. against President Obama.) I didn't have free postage (good on you!) but sent the stuff back to the state Republican party who was mailing it out, similarly marked up as you have done.

PS~ I often do this if there is an enormous amount of magazine subscription cardsfluttering out of magazines. I don't mind attached cards, and I don't mind a couple of these loose ones, but when it gets excessive, I just mail them postage paid back to them. It could be my imagination, but I do think fewer and fewer of these cards are in magazines these days...

[barbtries]

57. that is great

i certainly hope Sen Hagan gets a shitload just like it.

[lildreamer316]

59. I'll check my mailbox today for it, and do the same.

Thanks for the pics and the great idea.

[skipos]

61. Good idea! KR. nt

[adamuu]

62. BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina Urges Its Enrollees to Oppose Health Care Reform (HuffPo)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/yuna-shin/bluecross-blueshield-of-n_b_329474.html

I posted a link to this page. It is in moderation

[Lex]

65. thanks for linking it up

I hope lots more folks will edit their card and send it in.

[pleah]

63. K&R Well done!

:yourock:

[Sherman A1]

64. Superb!!!

:hi:

[tomm2thumbs]

67. your premiums paid for and licked that 'stamp' as if you did it yourself personally

nice way to change the message!!

[Grateful for Hope]

68. This is very well done.

Bravo!

[drm604]

69. I'm a little confused about something.

Under the "Business Reply Mail" box it says "Postage Will be Paid by Addressee".

I thought that the "addressee" was the person or entity that the letter is addressed to.

Merriam Webster seems to confirm this.

Main Entry: ad·dress·ee
Pronunciation: \ˌa-ˌdre-ˈsē, ə-\
Function: noun
Date: 1810

: one to whom something is addressed

So is Senator Hagan's office paying to receive these? :shrug:

[Divine Discontent]

140. One would think it sure implies Sen Hagan will be paying for the postage, huh????

and if so, was this done in cooperation with her office?

[Mira]

72. WOW WOW WOW - am printing for when I get mine (NC here) PLUS

I'm passing this on to someone with a huge democratic mailing list for the whole state.

YES

[sonias]

73. Very cool idea!

Love that Blue Cross is picking up the tab for your message!

Sonia

[emsimon33]

74. Very smart and savvy to make clear your position ON the envelope!

[onehandle]

75. Uh-oh. Does the company that makes Sharpies support a public option?

Expect a cease and desist letter from the powerful Sharpie lobby.

[Lex]

78. yeah, I'm worried to death

about that

[Mrs. Overall]

76. Is that even legal for Blue Cross to send those out?

How many uninformed individuals will simply sign it and mail it because Blue Cross told them to?

I LOVE your edits and additions!

[Barack_America]

77. Brilliant. Do you have a Kos account?

This should be on Kos too.

[Lex]

79. Feel free to link it over there if you'd like.

nt

[Hissyspit]

147. Here's My DAILY KOS Diary On It. Please recommend it and comment:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/10/26/797142/-Blue-Cross-NC-Sent-Out-Anti-HC-Reform-Postcards-For-Use-With-Sen.-Hagan,-So-I-Crossed-Out...

I gave a shout-out to you, Lex. :)

[PatrynXX]

81. Which means Wellmark also does. Your gonna give me ideas!!

BC/BS in wisconsin I move to Iowa and Wellmark is BC/BS, but they used the name change to sock it to me for pre existing in 2001. We've needed a health overhall for a loooooong time

[francolettieri]

82. awesome!!

I have one exactly like that laying around in my bedroom. I'll make the same changes you did and send it in : )

[Christa]

84. Perfect!

Kudos to you!!

I will definitely do the same, I hope I get one :evilgrin:

[Hepburn]

85. And BSBC never thought anyone would do this to their BS postcard?

:rofl:

You punked 'em good! :applause:

[VPStoltz]

87. In the past, I would forward that stuff to the Attorney Generals office as obscene literature.

This is a much better way to use it.

[mvd]

88. K&R

Using their own strategy against them. :thumbsup:

[Trekologer]

89. I suspect that the postcard doesn't really go to your Senator

Check the address. Its probably going to BCBS (and then they'd relay it). So, you're not likely to have the effect of sticking it to them; the card will just go into the trash. But you might want to write a letter toe the editor of a local newspaper about this.

[Lex]

90. still they have to pay the postage

so screw 'em

[nilram]

91. The Clue Phone is Ringing: that's Sen. Hagan's Greensboro office

http://hagan.senate.gov/?p=contact

[Trekologer]

93. In that case go for it

Being not from North Carolina (and expecting insurance company shenanigans), I would have my doubts of the validity of the address. The use of the business reply mail permit is still suspect.

[wroberts189]

98. Thanks ..you are correct ..it goes to him. Double checked by me.

* Contact Senator Hagan
* Toll Free: 1-877-852-9462

Office Locations

*
WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE
521 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
*
GREENSBORO OFFICE – STATE HEADQUARTERS
701 Green Valley Rd; Suite 201
Greensboro, NC 27408
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
*
RALEIGH OFFICE
310 New Bern Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

American Recovery & Reinvestment Act

[drm604]

161. No. That is the address of Senator Hagan's Greensboro office.

If you go here: http://congress.org/congressorg/bio/id/5415
and click on the "contact" tab, you'll see that that is the address of her Greensboro office.

[Duval]

92. BC/BS campaign

Thanks for posting this. We live in NC, too. Haven't received this (yet) and if we do, we will do as you did. It shows how far they are willing to promote their "interests". To add salt to the injury, they are using OUR money to do this! And this is from a "non-profit" organization....heh heh!

[katkat]

94. Maybe not

If a Congresscritter's office is swamped with these, they may flip them into a pile without even noticing anything you've written on them and think it's against the public option.

I would instead write a genuine letter. That gets opened and attention, since it obviously took a lot more time than postcard games.

[wroberts189]

95. That was pure brilliance. Well done! KNR/nt

[ThatsMyBarack]

96. I just Googled Kay Hagan.

She's a Democrat. I sure hope that helps.

Good job, Lex! :patriot:

[RayOfHope]

99. This is absolute BULLSHIT. We have BCBS, and I am cancelling it first thing tomorrow.

Its open enrollment time at work, and I'm putting my kids on my work plan. I plan to give them an EARFUL when I call to cancel.

[fiorello]

168. I think BCBS is state-by-state. I'd be FURIOUS if my state BCBS did this...

I read that some state BCBS's are for-profit, others not-for-profit (and North Carolina BC is obviously BS). If a nonprofit company did this, I'd want their non-profit status revoked and every payment to them regulated as a political contribution.

[HughMoran]

102. These people risk their livelyhood by attacking the people they serve like this

This is war. :mad:

[Mira]

104. I want to augment on the idea - for North Carolineans anyway: READ THIS

I said in my original response to this thread that I was thrilled with the idea, and would pass it on to a friend who has a very large email contact list for Democrats in the whole state of NC.

He passed it on.

And then he wrote, and I quote with his permission:


That is why I recommend a different strategy, one which takes no more time:

If you would like to acquaint Sen. Hagan with your views, please follow this link to her Senate website:

http://hagan.senate.gov/?p=contact

You enter your contact data, demonstrating that you are her constituent, and at the bottom, select "Health" as your topic, type "public option" as your Subject, and then write your 2 or 3 sentences in the message box. Threats won't help, but a firm statement about your expectations of Sen. Hagan on this matter can't hurt.

[Lex]

111. Thanks I will do this too.

Plus I'm calling her office tomorrow as well to make sure her staff knows to LOOK at these post cards and be sure of the message--some will surely be edited like mine, perhaps A LOT will be.

[Politicub]

105. What claims were denied by Blue Cross to fund this?

I have Blue Cross, too. I will do what you did if I get one of these cards.

But this makes me so angry. I'm grateful to have insurance through my employer, but I would trade it for a strong public option if it means that everyone would be covered.

[Hissyspit]

144. When I first saw it in my mail and read what it said, my blood ran cold I was so angry.

Disgusting.

[Enthusiast]

106. Good thinking! nt

[Jackeens]

108. Genius!!!

:toast:

[defendandprotect]

109. Adorable treachery -- !!! Congratulations!

[GreenTea]

110. I always put "Support the Public Option Health Care for all " on the front of EVERYTHING I mail

Whether it's to a utility company, a friend or relative or any business....I write it on the front and back of the envelope as it travels across this country for all to see.

[DaveinJapan]

112. DId you happen to snap a pic of the unaltered original letter?

If so, could you possibly post it up here?

I'd like to spread the word about what these fuckers are up to (the company letterhead is downright sickening, talk about hubris!).

[Lex]

114. No, I didn't. I only thought of posting it here once I edited it.

:(

[DaveinJapan]

142. Oh, that's okay.

Appreciate that you posted it. People need to know what these fuckers are up to!

[Crabby Appleton]

113. Looks like you filled it out right to me. nt

[itsrobert]

115. Delete

It's a postcard.

[Deja Q]

117. The claim competition saves all is a real load - yanked fresh from the cow

Plenty of competition already and yet prices only go up -- if competition is there, prices should be going down. Funny how it isn't...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_insurance_companies#Health_insurance_.28major_medical_insurance.29

[tooeyeten]

119. Brilliant!

How stupid were they?

[AzNick]

120. Mine would go back to BCBS with a stool sample

Just in case they're looking for pre-existing conditions.

[valerief]

123. Excellent! I wonder if anyone reads them or if they just take counts of

postage charged to business reply permit number.

[graywarrior]

124. Oouu, I want one!

[moonbatmax]

125. I haven't got one of these yet...

...but of course, I live in Michigan, whose BCBS just got permission to hike their premiums
after I spent MONTHS trying to move over from State Farm to get out from under THEIR rate hike.

If they start sending this kind of crap out to US, they probably KNOW what we'll do with it...
:grr: :nuke: :grr:

[BrklynLiberal]

127. Fantastic! Brilliant!!!

[nadinbrzezinski]

131. Good for you

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

133. I got one too, and I DON"T have any health ins. Will do what you did

thanks for the creative idea.

[Lex]

134. Wow, they have the audacity to send them to folks without insurance?

That's low.

I have my insurance with them, but I hate them. It's too much to pay, but I'm in a group policy with my professional organization, and it's the best price given my very limited options. If there was any legitimate competition, I know the premium would drop to something reasonable.

EVERYone should have affordable coverage. Heck, I really want single payer for us all.

[rpannier]

136. Isn't that sweet of them

They raised everyones rates and then provides a postage paid card for you to send it in.

Now we know why they had to raise their rates

[Maru Kitteh]

138. Excellent idea. I would send a copy of it to BCBS and thank them for the postage.

Assholes.

I HATE HATE HATE bcbs.

[Hissyspit]

141. HA! I did the same thing yesterday before I saw your thread.

I wrote at the bottom "The fact that Blue Cross spent money sending out these mailings, instead of on health care spending, shows how corrupt the for-profit system is."

I took a picture of it because I was going to do a thread on it, but I've just been too busy over the weekend.

[nxylas]

175. "Who wants that?"

Me, for one.

[Hissyspit]

177. No, you don't!

BlueCross BlueShield's CEO said so.

(Note: He makes a lot more money than you or I. $3.99 milion is what I heard.)

[Iwillnevergiveup]

145. It's hard to believe

this is only going on in NC. Regardless of where we live, we should all be on the lookout for these slimey postcards.

Some Congress folks like Kucinich, Weiner and Grayson should be made aware of these.

[boobooday]

148. Love what you did with it!

:thumbsup:

[Rosa Luxemburg]

149. Send this to the cable networks and newspapers!

let them be exposed!

[Vinca]

151. Here's another idea for those of you with post office boxes.

Keep an eye out for discarded junk mail. I won't be getting a postcard like this because I can't afford insurance, but there is a trash receptacle in the post office lobby that is always overflowing with tossed out junk mail. If I spot any of those postcards, they're mine.

[Barack_America]

152. Ooh. Good idea.

I like it!

[AllyCat]

153. Well done! Don't have BCBS, but if my ins co tries this, I will do the same

[rvablue]

154. You rock! n/t

[cornermouse]

156. One tiny little question

Since we're in an automated age, is there a bar code on there that is co-ordinated with the senator to automatically designate it as opposed to healthcare reform? I put nothing past the insurance companies or Congress at this point.

[flygal]

157. Aww too late to recommend!

Great job!!

[nykym]

159. All I can Say is

Bloody Brilliant!

[Blue_Tires]

160. awesome!

[SlingBlade]

162. Great Example for the rest of us Lex

K & R :yourock: :fistbump:

[beac]

163. Brava!!! And I love Hissyspit's idea of adding a note asking HOW they can afford thousands of

postcards and postage, but couldn't POSSIBIBLY compete with a public option.

:applause: to you both!

[Kajsa]

165. That's an excellent idea, Lex!

I'm glad you did that, they can pay the postage!
:)

" Unfairly competing" yeah, right!

To them ANY competition is " unfair".

A more accurate description is that it's
a threat to their predatory,overcharging
business practices!

K & R

[Kansas Wyatt]

166. I like your changes to it...

But another way would have been to get a concrete block, wrap it in paper, and tape the postcard to it.

The Senator's office gets to be very irritated by someone wanting 'NO' on Public Option, who dumped a heavy dirty object in their office to get rid of, and BCBS gets to pay an expensive postage bill.

You could have signed it Will Teabag, Teabaggerville, USA, and added that Democrats are traitors that need to be shot.

[TheCoxwain]

167. These pictures need to go viral .. Maybe KO can feature this on his show under "Best Persons'

[progressivebydesign]

169. OMG! I love that! Good for you! Nice to know where their money is being spent. n/t

[dixiegrrrrl]

170. Hey...if they are a non-profit, they can't legally lobby in any fashion.

At least, that is the way it used to be not too long ago.
Anyone know if BS/BC in NC IS non-profit?

Edit:
Never mind..I just read Hissyspit's Kos article,wherein he states they lost tax-exempt non-profit status.

[Lex]

173. They are listed as a non-profit. Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, that is.

http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/corporations/Corp.aspx?PitemId=5292381

[dixiegrrrrl]

176. Big no-no then,

Me thinks it is time for news coverage of this.

[Hissyspit]

179. UPDATED On the issue of non-profit:

Technically, I think the Foundation is non-profit, but not the health insurance groups. This has changed over the years as the original concept of Blue Cross in N.C. has been corrupted, and I am not clear on it, but I think they probably know the loopholes and what they can get away with. The foundation is the research aspect of the organization. I imagine it has been set up this way on purpose.

It still stinks to high heaven of self-serving feudal-system robber baron excrement.

ON EDIT: WRAL refers to it as a non-profit.

http://www.wral.com/news/local/wral_investigates/story/4668082/

Blue Cross profits, exec pay spark criticism
Posted: Mar. 4, 2009
Updated: Mar. 9, 2009

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, the state's largest insurer, earned $186 million last year while raising premiums on customers as the economy slid into recession.

Such large profits by a nonprofit company elicited sharp criticism from health care reform and state employee advocates.

"I think it's outrageous. We have North Carolinians losing their jobs, losing their health insurance, really hurting, and then you look at Blue Cross," said Adam Searing, director of the NC Justice Center's Health Access Coalition and a longtime critic of Blue Cross.

WATCH VIDEO AT LINK: Groups appalled by Blue Cross profits

"I think it sends the message to North Carolinians that we (at Blue Cross) care more about making money than making health insurance affordable," Searing said. "It raises a question: Where are our premium dollars going?"

Blue Cross spokesman Lew Borman defended the insurer's financials, pointing out that the company's 3.6 percent profit margin in 2008 was the smallest in at least five years. Profits also were down from $209 million in 2007, and Borman noted the company paid $162 million in federal, state and local taxes last year.

"We know times are tough and we're trying to do something about it," Borman said. "We're in solid financial shape, and it's due to the executives that put us in that position."

The top six executives at Blue Cross each made more than $1 million last year, topped by Chief Executive Bob Greczyn at close to $4 million. Greczyn's annual income included a $3 million bonus and was a 23 percent increase over 2007.

[LibDemAlways]

171. Unbelievably shitful. I hope you sent a photocopy of your

response back to BlueCross. Bastards.

[residentfan]

172. Bravo!

BC/BS has the money to do THIS, but not to work to make certain that those they cover are fully protected! I hate that company, and if they pull this bullshit on me I assure you I will do the same.

[ddeclue]

178. If you need a place to store the picture, you can send it to me and I'll post it at my site so you

can link to it.

[Hissyspit]

180. Heh. Email from Robert Reich just now:

We're closer than ever to winning a historic victory on health care.

I should know: I served as Secretary of Labor under President Clinton during the last health care fight. And I'm sure that this time around we're within reach of passing a real health care reform bill—one that includes a public health insurance option.

Unfortunately, some conservatives in the Senate are still pushing a "trigger" plan that would kill the public option through indefinite delay. And they may even be finding support within the White House.

So now's the time to redouble our efforts. I've recorded a new video explaining why I think this is an absolutely pivotal moment, and what we all can do to win.

Once you've finished watching (VIDEO IN EMAIL), be sure to call Senator Kay Hagan—and tell her you won't settle for anything less than a strong public health insurance option. No delays, and no excuses.

Here's where to call:

Senator Kay Hagan
Phone: [phone]
Thank you,

Robert Reich

[Extend a Hand]

181. Hey you made the front page of reddit, too

:toast: 996 up votes
http://www.reddit.com/

[Lex]

182. Thanks.

So many hits on the thread that it exceeded my photobucket account. I had no idea so many people would look at the thread, even from other sites that linked it. I upgraded my photobucket account so my pictures would still be good in this thread since my edit time on the thread was over.

Also, I called Senator Hagan's office today and explained the postcard and the staffer assured me they would look at each BCBS postcard to be sure of the message from the sender. Sen. Hagan is for a public option.

[malaise]

183. Wow is this a record

73,134 persons have viewed this. You sure have exposed these dealers in profits from sickness and I'm lovin' it.

[ms liberty]

184. You're much nicer than I was on my card...

I wrote "screw the insurance corps!" and "WE WANT SINGLE PAYER" on the one I got!

[Lex]

185. I wanted to make it easy to see I was for a Public Option.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love single payer, but Senator Hagan's office is primarily counting those who are for or against a public option. I wanted to make sure mine was counted.

[Road Scholar]

186. kick

:kick:

[ecstatic]

187. I'm with BCBS, but individual pay, so I doubt they'll send me anything

I'm sure they realize that people like me want and need the public option!

[derby378]

188. Well done!

:applause: