‘HOW TO GET RICH’…. Health Care for America Now, hoping to keep some momentum going on reform, is launching a $1 million ad buy today, and it goes right after the insurance companies.
For those who can’t watch clips from their work computers, the spot begins with a book, “How to get rich — by America’s health insurance companies.” Chapter one of the book is “Charge a lot,” and the viewer is reminded that insurers have been raising premiums four times faster than wages. Chapter two is “Make a lot,” and the viewer is reminded that some insurance company CEOs are paid up to $24 million a year. Chapter three is “Deny a lot,” which is reinforced by the fact that one out of five treatments prescribed by doctors is turned down by private insurers.
“If the insurance companies win, you lose,” the ad concludes. “Tell Congress to rewrite the story. We want good health care we can afford — with the choice of a public health insurance option.”
Aiming the fight at private insurers right now is almost certainly not a coincidence. The Democratic Steering and Policy Committee Forum on Health Insurance Reform heard testimony today from Wendell Potter (whose name should sound familiar to you).
Potter warned lawmakers today against passing an “Insurance Industry Profit Protection And Enhancement Act.” He didn’t mention Max Baucus’ plan by name, but he clearly isn’t impressed with the Finance Committee chairman’s proposal.
