Washington Post (!) Destroys Insurance Lobby's Propaganda

[PVnRT]

Alternet

The industry that helped scuttle health reform 15 years ago with its "Harry and Louise" ads is back, voicing support for a central element of the Obama administration's plans: making sure everyone is covered.

That does not mean the industry is backing the administration. Indeed, the leader of the insurance lobby has sent lawmakers a message: Be careful what you change, because "77 percent of Americans are satisfied with their existing health insurance coverage."

Karen Ignagni, president of America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), invoked the statistic to argue against the creation of a government-run insurance option. But the polls are not that simple, and her assertion reveals how the industry's effort to defend its turf has led it to cherry-pick the facts.

The poll Ignagni was citing actually undercuts her position: By 72 to 20 percent, Americans favor the creation of a public plan, the June survey by the New York Times and CBS News found. People also said that they thought government would do a better job than private insurers of holding down health-care costs and providing coverage.

[pinto]

1. Kick and rec

:kick:

[JuniperLea]

2. I would question that "77 percent" figure

I bet it is 77% OF THE PEOPLE WHO CURRENTLY HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, not 77% of the American people. Misleading.

[NanceGreggs]

3. Precisely ...

How could people who don't have insurance express their satisfaction with it?

[PVnRT]

6. Exactly, even more spin from the insurance companies (n/t)

[Juche]

7. 77% of people with private insurance

Despite the claims you hear in the media, I think private insurers only cover about 20-30% of all healthcare costs. Roughly 60% are covered by various state and federal government programs (medicare, medicaid, VA, SCHIP, CDC, NIH, etc) and the rest is covered by citizens. So that 77% doesn't (I'm guessing) include many people on government sponsored insurance plans.

And I have heard different numbers. The public like medicare more than private insurance.

http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Content/Publications/In-the-Literature/2009/May/Meeting-Enrollees-Needs.aspx

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/national_nurses_movement/2009/07/a-secret-exposed----medicare-w.php

[BlueIdaho]

4. That's nothing

I just heard Andrea Mitchell say 90% of Americans are satisfied with their health care packages. How do you win when the MSM is lying their asses off - that's what I want to know.

[FiveGoodMen]

8. "How do you win when the MSM is lying their asses off"

No one ever wants to hear this, but lying like that -- to the public, to change decision-making -- needs to be made a crime.

A real crime with years in jail.

Otherwise, we can't win. Not ever.

[Uncle Joe]

9. The corporate media loses a little bit more of their credibility with the American People every time

they do it.

[Romulox]

5. The Washington Post has negative credibility on health care.

And everyone knows it. Do not discount the possibility false flag operations.