As we head into the Thursday White House meeting on health care reform, it is important for the entire nation to focus our attention on the real roadblocks to a just health care system in this -- the richest nation on the planet.
I present, Anthem/Blue Cross's Terrible, Horrible, Crappy Day in Sacramento.
SACRAMENTO, CA (KGO) -- Executives from Anthem Blue Cross had some explaining to do in Sacramento on Tuesday afternoon as they faced the Assembly Health Committee in Sacramento and things got testy.
"Have you no shame?" asked Dave Jones, the Sacramento Democrat who chairs the Assembly Health Committee. Jones was quizzing two executives of Anthem Blue Cross, the company that plans to raise rates for its individual policy holders in California by as much as 39 percent.
"The question is disappointing to me Mr. Chairman," responded a shaken Leslie Margolin, the president of Anthem Blue Cross in California. "It is disappointing to me."
Nonetheless, Anthem executive told the committee, despite scathing criticism from lawmakers and consumer groups, they will go ahead with the increases. "We advocate appropriate rates," said Jim Oatman, a Vice-President with Anthem's parent company Wellpoint, which recorded profits in excess of $3 billion in 2009.
Video here.
Is this company going to let some minor state government push them around?
Hell no.
Blue Cross told state officials Tuesday that California's largest health insurer will go forward with much-criticized individual-policy rate hikes of as much as 39% once a two-month delay lapses May 1.
http://www.latimes.com/...
In Biblical Times, these people were known as Moneychangers.
Kicking them out of the temple was the only time Jesus really kicked major ass.
So here is the question for us, as a Democratic movement.