White House shill: A Dream for Insurance Companies? Must Be News To Them

[ProSense]

The White House Blog

A Dream for Insurance Companies? Must Be News To Them

Posted by Dan Pfeiffer on December 16, 2009

Recently, a somewhat perplexing new line of argument has emerged about health insurance reform, with some folks suggesting the Senate bill is a "dream" for insurance companies.

If that's the case, though, it must be news to them. The insurance industry has been leveraging its considerable resources in a ferocious effort to defeat this bill, including producing a report the day before the Senate Finance Committee vote that was so misleading the firm behind it had to walk away from it. And that's not surprising, because this bill will finally wrest power away from the insurance industry and put it in the hands of American consumers.

• Among the many provisions to end insurer abuses, lower premiums, and hold insurance companies accountable:
  
  
• Insurance market reforms will prohibit abuses such as denying coverage for pre-existing conditions, charging exorbitant premiums based on gender, age, or health status, dropping coverage when people are sick, and imposing lifetime limits on benefits.
  
  
• Consumer rights will be enhanced by requiring all insurers to provide effective appeals procedures including outside, independent review of appeals
  
  
• New insurance exchanges will reduce premium increases by lowering administrative costs and increasing the leverage of individuals and small businesses in this insurance market.
  
  
• Competition will also be enhanced by providing consumers comparative information on available insurance options giving them the tools to make more informed decisions and drive competition based on value and service.
  
  
• Insurers will be held accountable for excessive overhead costs fueled by unreasonable executive compensation and profits.
  
  
• Insurers will also be required to compete against cost-effective national plans selected by the federal Office of Personnel Management.
  
  
• Wasteful taxpayer overpayments to insurance companies through private Medicare Advantage plans will be eliminated.
  
  
• A new $6.7 billion annual fee will be levied on insurance companies to ensure that they pay their fair share of coverage costs.

It’s also important to remember that, while none of us are shedding any tears for the insurance industry, the primary goal of health insurance reform isn’t to punish insurers – it’s to give every American the ability to find affordable coverage while controlling the unsustainable cost growth in our current health care system that is crushing families and businesses. On that front, this bill is hugely successful. This bill will bring stability and security to people who have insurance and provide affordable options to those who don’t. It will protect against arbitrary insurance company rules and will lower premiums for American families and businesses. And it will take a big chunk out of the national deficit.

Dan Pfeiffer is White House Communications Director

Pfft! What do they know?

[Nite Owl]

1. They love Lieberman!

http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/story/10647424/1/unitedhealth-stock-chart-healthy.html?cm_ven=YAHOO&cm_cat=FREE&cm_ite=NA

This plan is a gift with a big bow on top.

[jefferson_dem]

2. THREE DIMENSIONAL CHESS!

The insurance industry tools are master players, don't ya know.

[johnlal]

3. Obama v. Progressives

Acceptable: Obama says "I have also pledged that health insurance reform will not add to our deficit over the next decade, and I mean it."

Unacceptable: "I will vote against this bill if it does not contain a robust public option".

After so many years of Congress rubber stamping Bush, I guess Obama feels he can dictate the healthcare bill and ignore liberals in the process.

[Popular Front]

4. Finally some sanity from our Commander-in-Chief

It's about time this nonsense is put to rest. Obama promised health care reform, and he aims to deliver if you just shut up and let him do his job.

[timeforpeace]

6. What do you mean, "finally"? Freudian slip?

[Popular Front]

7. Meaning it's about time you listen to our leader and show him respect n/t

[brentspeak]

9. The word "shill" attracted you to this thread, didn't it?

[Popular Front]

12. Who am I shilling for?

Obama? If so, then I'm proud to be a shill for the first populist President since John F. Kennedy.

[freddie mertz]

25. This is not a fascist dictatorship yet.

You sound like you'd be happy with one, though.

[Popular Front]

31. Now you're comparing supporting Obama to fascism

Glenn is that you? Would you pass the tea please?

[freddie mertz]

36. No, just the tone of your posts.

You remind me of a song:

"Some folks are born made to wave the flag,
ooh, they're red, white and blue.
And when the band plays "Hail To The Chief",
oh, they point the cannon at you, Lord,

It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no senator's son,
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no fortunate one, no,

Some folks are born silver spoon in hand,
Lord, don't they help themselves? oh.
But when the taxman come to the door,
Lord, the house look a like a rummage sale, yes,

It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no millionaire's son, no, no.
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no fortunate one, no.

Yeh, some folks inherit star spangled eyes,
ooh, they send you down to war, Lord,
And when you ask them, how much should we give,
oh, they only answer, more, more, more, yoh,

It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no military son, SON, NO
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no fortunate one, NO NO"

Got it yet?

[YvonneCa]

33. Wow. Welcome to DU. n/t

[timeforpeace]

5. Yes, all companies hate government mandates to buy their products. Get a clue.

[ProSense]

10. Add up the 27 percent increase in premium expenditures, the

inability to drop patience with pre-exisiting conditions and the rest, and let me know how much the insurance companies will make.

Or when you find "a clue," share.

[polichick]

8. You seem to be as frantic as the WH today. Wonder why. nt

[ProSense]

11. You seem to need a fix to deal with facts. n/t

[polichick]

13. The one who refuses to accept the facts is YOU (as usual). nt

[ProSense]

14. Speaking of "frantic." n/t

[polichick]

15. Nice try. nt

[timeforpeace]

17. The OP's are like a car wreck, you just have to look to see how bad this one is.

[polichick]

18. Just a tad bit desperate. :) nt

[ProSense]

19. With you right in the middle.

Why are you so concerned?

[freddie mertz]

26. Just following orders? nt.

[polichick]

27. Sure seems like it. nt

[freddie mertz]

29. Yes, it does.

[Cha]

16. The insurance companies would

no doubt love the status quo.

Love to hear from the source.

[mcablue]

20. Health industry stocks soared when the news broke

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x64469

[ProSense]

21. WellPoint stock are going up because of a major sale. n/t

[Cha]

22. Oh, there's a reason for it besides

assuming the worst just bc you see the stocks soaring?

[freddie mertz]

23. Shill is the right word. Strip out the mandate.

Then we can talk.

Maybe.

Oh, and ProSense, what about that public option you promised me?

[hulka38]

24. No competition = no cost containment = continued rising health care costs =

no real reform. The insurance companies will have loop holes built into the rest of the bill....and there will be much rejoicing.

[asdjrocky]

28. You gotta catapult the propaganda.

[AllentownJake]

35. Pro is pretty much looking like this right now on her HCR predictions

[Clio the Leo]

30. Precisely. NT

[AllentownJake]

32. Fail

[ProSense]

34. .

:rofl:

[freddie mertz]

37. Hey ProSense, what happened to that public option you promised me? nt.