Bernie Sanders criticizes Blue Cross CEO over $19M pay

[Uncle Joe]

Blue Cross Blue Shield CEO Daniel Loepp is under fire after it was revealed that the leader of Michigan's largest health insurance company earned $19.2 million last year — more than most for-profit executives in the state.

(snip)

"The CEO of Michigan Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield was paid $19 million in 2018, a 43 percent increase in pay from his $13 million in 2017, while 790,000 Michigan residents go without health care and many more can't afford to use the insurance they have," Sanders wrote on Facebook. "We must pass a single-payer health care system so ordinary Americans won't have to forgo getting the care they need because they can't afford it."

(snip)

Loepp, 61, drew criticism after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed the CEO as an "honorary co-chair" on her gubernatorial transition team earlier this year. Whitmer's father had previously served as the head of the company, and she had credited Loepp with suggesting she enter politics in the first place. Blue Cross also donated more money to Whitmer than any other other gubernatorial candidate in the past decade.

Unlike her 2018 Democratic gubernatorial opponents, Whitmer refused to campaign on single-payer healthcare, telling Metro Times she thought single-payer wasn't feasible.

(snip)

https://www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2019/03/08/bernie-sanders-criticizes-blue-cross-ceo-over-19m-pay

This is a good read.

[dlk]

1. This is the Problem With a For-Profit Healthcare System

Granted, it’s not just BlueCross. However, just think how many lifesaving prescriptions and treatments that $19 million could have paid for.

[Uncle Joe]

2. I hear you dlk.

[dalton99a]

5. +1

[Power 2 the People]

7. +1

[WeekiWater]

3. Strange take on Whitmer.

She blew the field away in the primary. Clearly the constituents liked her far more than the rest of the field. It also connects her to this salary though she has nothing to do with it. Really shady shit here. Lets not forget that Sanders made a couple million last year and he is a member of congress.

[Uncle Joe]

4. Did you miss this paragraph?

Loepp, 61, drew criticism after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed the CEO as an "honorary co-chair" on her gubernatorial transition team earlier this year. Whitmer's father had previously served as the head of the company, and she had credited Loepp with suggesting she enter politics in the first place. Blue Cross also donated more money to Whitmer than any other other gubernatorial candidate in the past decade.

[WeekiWater]

6. I did not.

That also says nothing to my point.

I'm glad BC supported her over Bill Schuette. I understand you wish Bill Schuette was better funded. Your argument is a fallacy. No other Democrats really put up a fight against her in the primary. There wasn't a contest. It was a great win for us. I see what you are doing.

[workinclasszero]

10. Nothing to see here huh? /sarcasm

Blue Cross also donated more money to Whitmer than any other other gubernatorial candidate in the past decade.

[comradebillyboy]

8. Oh noes!!!! Gretchen Whitmer isn't pure enough...

[Cha]

13. Yeah, No good luck to those trying to tear down Gov Whitmer..

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[comradebillyboy]

14. I like those liberals who get things done.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

15. Me too.

[JI7]

19. i guess some think Schuette would have been better on health care

[workinclasszero]

9. "The CEO of Michigan Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield was paid $19 million in 2018"

This is why we must have Medicare for all!

These greedy health insurance companies are killing people for obscene profits!

[Maru Kitteh]

11. Where are his tax returns?

[David__77]

12. I think it's great to draw attention to the compensation of corporate leaders.

Increasing consciousness of class is a good thing.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

16. And to those of politicians, right?

When, pray tell, is Sen. Bernard Sanders (I-Vt) doing to share the details of his households compensation?

The excuse that he's experiencing mechanical issues is beyond wearing thin.

Especially when his pitch seems to be for class-warfare. Hard to have it both ways.

[David__77]

18. Class consciousness can be a good thing.

...

[CrossingTheRubicon]

20. Unleashing political rage almost always turns out badly.

It is the stuff of demagogues.

[Uncle Joe]

17. I believe so as well David. n/t