BMJ – How Health Insurance Companies Work

The Bill Moyers Journal is one of the smartest shows on television. This is the second show in recent months that Bill Moyers in which Moyers has covered health care. Mr. Wendell Potter, an executive at CIGNA, tells Moyer (and us) what we really already know. Health insurance companies do not have our best interests at heart. They focused primarily on Wall Street and the bottom line. This should not be news to anyone who reads this blog on a regular basis. I’ve been saying this for more than three months. Insurance companies will do whatever is necessary to make money. They will deny claims that are perfectly legitimate. They will cut you or a small business from their coverage if there are “too many” claims in any given year.

I have to say a couple words about Wendell Potter. It isn’t that I think he’s lying. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. My problem with Mr. Potter is that he is right about the millions of dollars in salary and other compensation from CIGNA. Now that he has retired, he wants to clear his conscience. For lack of a better term. There are better terms… including one word that starts with an “F,” but let’s call it the Scott McClellan Syndrome. As you recall, Scott McClellan was press secretary to President George W. Bush. He’d been with Bush for a number of years, including when Bush was governor in Texas. When he left the Bush administration, he signed a large contract to write a book which was critical of an administration that he defended day in and day out for a number of years. Wendell Potter is that same kind of person.

In spite of my own personal aversion to people like Mr. Potter, this is an excellent interview by Bill Moyers. As you watch these videos, please think of what is going on on Capital Hill right now. The insurance industry is “promising” to cut costs.  Where are these cuts going to come from? Executive salaries? Less coverage for fewer people? Are we really going to see those cuts at all? You decide. Enjoy!!

 
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icon for podpress  Bill Moyers Journal part 2: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 
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  • Wow. I'm sorry that you had to go thru all of that. Single-payer. That's the only way.
  • ecthompson
    Wow. I'm sorry that you had to go thru all of that. Single-payer. That's the only way.
  • Neil Stecker
    EC, I Love that you speak out-HERE IS MY OUTRAGE!
    Need SINGLE PAYER! 30 years of insurance HELL!

    Injured on a job, out of state, a year after joining the Carpenters, Joiners Union, as a Journeyman Carpenter. Chapter 1644, St Paul.

    This injury fell under the jurisdiction of the California Workers Comp System. DOI, 12/2/78. Though I had taken jobs from the CA. "hall," before I move to the YOSEMITE area, I was injured on a nonunion job, where I became an unskilled, seasonal worker, much like an illegal alien might be treated.

    I had began a long journey with the FOR PROFIT, Insurance Industry. 30 Plus years of DELAY, DENY, DELAY, DEFEND, according to the Insurance Coverage Gospel.
    Allowing time to heal, providing adequate medical care in a timely manner and helping to get you back on your feet, after such an injury was the purpose of WC & INSURANCE, so I believed. The first five years I thought there was just some problem, a glitch that I could be locked out of the system built to protect a person from such indignation.

    12/2/78, DOI, after being homeless for six months I was forced to hire a lawyer, 8/79, to get the WC SYSTEM, to Do anything about medical treatment coverage or any loss of income ability, due to this injury, i.e., HOMELESS.
    After being sent down many dead ends it became apparent this was intentional. 42 calls later, I reached a disconnected number. The Magic number that, everyone with the "next window please," attitude said was the illusive number that I needed to reach, without giving me the #. DELAY!
    Does this sound like what you have endured during your illness?

    12/22/80, I was awarded PERMANENT OPEN MEDICAL from the CA. Workers Compensation Appeals Board, Stockton, CA.

    KEMPER'S, AMERICAN MANUFACTURES AND LUMBERMANS INSURANCE COMPANY, No Small Insurer, accepted payment responsibility as per their CONTRACT through WC INSURANCE Awarded Medical Care. After many sales, KEMPER became other companies, ZURIK-KEMPER, I think TRAVELERS, until they became BROADSPIRE, now owned by AETNA.

    A mass consolidation, much like WALLSTREET, AIG and the other Royalty of Finance.
    IT IS LEFT TO THE TAXPAYER!
    NOW THAT IS A GOOD BUSINESS PLAN!!! Privatize Profit, Socialize FAILURE AND LOSSES. If this were not HAPPENING TO ME, I would not believe that it could be happening HERE in the US! ANOTHER DAY WASTED WRITING THIS, GO KEMPER!

    All went better for about three months. Now comes DENY.
    Two years later, back in MN, KEMPER confused and delayed the system more. Then came the refusal to pay for any care or other benefits allowed me by law.
    Forced to return to CA, every other year to retrieve my Loans to the insurer, from paying for care, Out Of Pocket. All would be better for about three months, then DELY and DENY, would creep back in until I was forced back to CA. at my own expense. Lost time, lost care, lost opportunity and only DEAD ENDS to keep me fighting or force me to give up on my Award of PERMANENT OPEN MEDICAL. Too costly to pay MEDICAL and Lawyers, too! This is an ongoing torment provided by some well paid lawyers. 8-12-09, is the next "Hearing." Where they will DEFEND against me, for being injured on the job.

    I have become a firm believer that the workers comp system is the proving grounds for the insurance care we have now. Any of you who have an injury or are sick, needed what you thought you paid for, been forced into expense rather than being a "Profitable Patient," know exactly what I am talking about. Those that have not, count yourselves fortunate!

    People with MEDICARE, have seen just how much more efficient and SAFE, the SINGLE PAYER SYSTEM can be for a person when in need of care. You need care, you seek it from your Doctor, it is paid!
    Without 30% OVERHEAD. (PROFITS?) VESTED INTERESTS have called the shots for so long they will not acquiesce easily. Some will stoop to out right lies and distortions. Others act as if they will play along, until the doors are closed. Where the real $$$$$$$ is for Government & Corporations.

    I was raised to believe a Christian did not lie, cheat, steal or mislead themselves, (OTHERS) to believe that profits over life, was an acceptable option in following God's Laws. Nor do I believe that makes a good business plan. Your insurer knows you better than you know yourself. Do you know who they are?

    They are not the genuine and mostly honest salesperson who sold you some Blue Sky. NO, they are anonymous persons, fighting to keep a good paying job, DOING WHAT THEY ARE TOLD.
    Doing that job for a person who expects, $1.7 BILLION FOR ONE YEAR'S WORK. And Everybody down the line, expecting a BONUS for doing their job WELL.

    And when the LIE OF INSURANCE, is discovered by, the now sick person, it seems everyone is getting a BONUS, but You!
    Not only are you sick, But now, you are BANKRUPTED as well, even if you do get better. "A DEAD PATIENT IS A COST EFFECTIVE PATIENT."

    Isn't it time to talk SINGLE PAYER?
    Isn't it time to HAVE What the rest of the world HAS? HEALTH CARE!
    Time to hold our GOVERNMENT, Politicians and Corporations accountable?

    Our value as PEOPLE, is more than, a Profit Center!
    Like you, I can not be lied to anymore!
  • Neil Stecker
    EC, I Love that you speak out-HERE IS MY OUTRAGE!
    Need SINGLE PAYER! 30 years of insurance HELL!

    Injured on a job, out of state, a year after joining the Carpenters, Joiners Union, as a Journeyman Carpenter. Chapter 1644, St Paul.

    This injury fell under the jurisdiction of the California Workers Comp System. DOI, 12/2/78. Though I had taken jobs from the CA. "hall," before I move to the YOSEMITE area, I was injured on a nonunion job, where I became an unskilled, seasonal worker, much like an illegal alien might be treated.

    I had began a long journey with the FOR PROFIT, Insurance Industry. 30 Plus years of DELAY, DENY, DELAY, DEFEND, according to the Insurance Coverage Gospel.
    Allowing time to heal, providing adequate medical care in a timely manner and helping to get you back on your feet, after such an injury was the purpose of WC & INSURANCE, so I believed. The first five years I thought there was just some problem, a glitch that I could be locked out of the system built to protect a person from such indignation.

    12/2/78, DOI, after being homeless for six months I was forced to hire a lawyer, 8/79, to get the WC SYSTEM, to Do anything about medical treatment coverage or any loss of income ability, due to this injury, i.e., HOMELESS.
    After being sent down many dead ends it became apparent this was intentional. 42 calls later, I reached a disconnected number. The Magic number that, everyone with the "next window please," attitude said was the illusive number that I needed to reach, without giving me the #. DELAY!
    Does this sound like what you have endured during your illness?

    12/22/80, I was awarded PERMANENT OPEN MEDICAL from the CA. Workers Compensation Appeals Board, Stockton, CA.

    KEMPER'S, AMERICAN MANUFACTURES AND LUMBERMANS INSURANCE COMPANY, No Small Insurer, accepted payment responsibility as per their CONTRACT through WC INSURANCE Awarded Medical Care. After many sales, KEMPER became other companies, ZURIK-KEMPER, I think TRAVELERS, until they became BROADSPIRE, now owned by AETNA.

    A mass consolidation, much like WALLSTREET, AIG and the other Royalty of Finance.
    IT IS LEFT TO THE TAXPAYER!
    NOW THAT IS A GOOD BUSINESS PLAN!!! Privatize Profit, Socialize FAILURE AND LOSSES. If this were not HAPPENING TO ME, I would not believe that it could be happening HERE in the US! ANOTHER DAY WASTED WRITING THIS, GO KEMPER!

    All went better for about three months. Now comes DENY.
    Two years later, back in MN, KEMPER confused and delayed the system more. Then came the refusal to pay for any care or other benefits allowed me by law.
    Forced to return to CA, every other year to retrieve my Loans to the insurer, from paying for care, Out Of Pocket. All would be better for about three months, then DELY and DENY, would creep back in until I was forced back to CA. at my own expense. Lost time, lost care, lost opportunity and only DEAD ENDS to keep me fighting or force me to give up on my Award of PERMANENT OPEN MEDICAL. Too costly to pay MEDICAL and Lawyers, too! This is an ongoing torment provided by some well paid lawyers. 8-12-09, is the next "Hearing." Where they will DEFEND against me, for being injured on the job.

    I have become a firm believer that the workers comp system is the proving grounds for the insurance care we have now. Any of you who have an injury or are sick, needed what you thought you paid for, been forced into expense rather than being a "Profitable Patient," know exactly what I am talking about. Those that have not, count yourselves fortunate!

    People with MEDICARE, have seen just how much more efficient and SAFE, the SINGLE PAYER SYSTEM can be for a person when in need of care. You need care, you seek it from your Doctor, it is paid!
    Without 30% OVERHEAD. (PROFITS?) VESTED INTERESTS have called the shots for so long they will not acquiesce easily. Some will stoop to out right lies and distortions. Others act as if they will play along, until the doors are closed. Where the real $$$$$$$ is for Government & Corporations.

    I was raised to believe a Christian did not lie, cheat, steal or mislead themselves, (OTHERS) to believe that profits over life, was an acceptable option in following God's Laws. Nor do I believe that makes a good business plan. Your insurer knows you better than you know yourself. Do you know who they are?

    They are not the genuine and mostly honest salesperson who sold you some Blue Sky. NO, they are anonymous persons, fighting to keep a good paying job, DOING WHAT THEY ARE TOLD.
    Doing that job for a person who expects, $1.7 BILLION FOR ONE YEAR'S WORK. And Everybody down the line, expecting a BONUS for doing their job WELL.

    And when the LIE OF INSURANCE, is discovered by, the now sick person, it seems everyone is getting a BONUS, but You!
    Not only are you sick, But now, you are BANKRUPTED as well, even if you do get better. "A DEAD PATIENT IS A COST EFFECTIVE PATIENT."

    Isn't it time to talk SINGLE PAYER?
    Isn't it time to HAVE What the rest of the world HAS? HEALTH CARE!
    Time to hold our GOVERNMENT, Politicians and Corporations accountable?

    Our value as PEOPLE, is more than, a Profit Center!
    Like you, I can not be lied to anymore!
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