Insurance Industry Distributing Town Hall Talking Points That Bash Public Option

[babylonsister]

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/insurance-industry-groups-talking-points-for-town-halls-bashes-public-option/

Insurance Industry Distributing Town Hall Talking Points That Bash Public Option


Yesterday I told you that the top insurance industry group, America’s Health Insurance Plans, has no plans to stop trying to turn out as many people as possible at town hall meetings during the August recess.

Now AHIP is distributing a new set of talking points for use at these meetings — ones that bash the public insurance option, one of the principles Obama has articulated for reform. These “August Recess Talking Points,” as AHIP calls them, say:

*Health plans strongly believe that now is the time for comprehensive, bipartisan health care reform that enhances affordability, improves quality, covers all Americans and puts the health care system on a sustainable path.

* However, we also share the concerns that employers, providers, and patients have raised about the significant unintended consequences of a new government-run plan. A government-run plan would dismantle employer-based coverage, thereby violating the shared commitment to ensure that those who like their current coverage can keep it. The government run plan would also add significant liabilities to the federal budget.

AHIP keeps saying it favors reform, and insists it doesn’t want visitors to town halls to be disruptive. And there’s nothing wrong with AHIP encouraging participation and distributing talking points.

But the simple fact is that the insurance industry has a tremendous financial stake in whether a public plan becomes a reality. And the industry is not only telling people to go to town meetings, but also telling them how to voice their opposition to a public option.

Bottom line: It’s indisputable that the industry is orchestrating public opposition to one of health care reform’s most important components.

[drm604]

1. And they are encouraging disruption rather than conversation.

They know that they can't win a genuine discussion.

[Eric J in MN]

2. "The government run plan would also add significant liabilities to the federal budget."

If the public option has lower premiums than private insurance, that will lower the premiums of private insurance, and reduce the amount of subsidies the federal government needs to provide.

The effect would be to LOWER federal spending vs. no public option.

[drm604]

3. Exactly.

This is why the greedy bastards don't like it.

[dgibby]

4. So, when somebody gets hurt, can they sue the Insurance Industry for inciting riots? n/t