You may have been exposed to the "Why We Fight" films as part of a high school or college history class. Basically, they were a series of seven United States government propaganda films devoted to persuading the American public of the need to get involved in the Second World War.
Today, though, the biggest threat to America's economy and our social well-being -- stated with no fear of hyperbole -- is the for-profit health insurance industry. Specifically, the big guys: Aetna, CIGNA, Humana, WellPoint, and UnitedHealthcare.
Even with the Affordable Care Act, these companies will have tremendous liberty to "make up the rules as they go." Watch "Insurance Company Rules" and then rejoin my discussion.
Enjoy the humor? Or did you cry because you've experienced these "rules" in your own life? The ridiculousness of "Insurance Company Rules" is WHY WE FIGHT for robust public options and Medicare for all.
What other industry can pay for something and then take it all back? Oh, "we made a mistake" and your $135,000 surgery was actually a pre-existing condition. We're taking the money back from the hospital and leaving you to fight it out with collections. What other industry can have so many chances to "redo" mistakes? Woops, too much money paid for your dental visit the first time? Well, now we're taking it back. Big-profit insurance companies are the modern-day equivalents of despotic kings and queens -- forcing the public to beg for mercy.
Yesterday, I let you know about Sarah, a young girl who is in a battle with United Healthcare for autism treatment in order to acquire the ability to consume solid foods. If you missed her compelling video, here it is again:
What I didn't tell you yesterday is that United Healthcare approved the very same treatment for a young girl named Isabella in 2008. Yup, same treatment, same original excuses for not covering it (it's experimental, your plan doesn't cover this therapy, etc.), but United Healthcare caved and paid out. Why? Who knows? Was it public relations pressure? The fact that the claims adjuster just ate a tasty chocolate donut and wanted to help out a kid? Who knows?! Remember, United Healthcare plays by "Insurance Company Rules".
Imagine, insurance company rules in any other industry: hotels could charge you extra for a room seven months after your stay, McDonald's could force you to return the fry you ate (vomit it up I guess?) two months after your meal, our economy would be in chaos -- just like our health sector is today.
Oh, and if you'd like to help Sarah's family fight back against United Healthcare's perverted interpretation of "Insurance Company Rules" in her own struggle, feel free to call and email the folks right here.
I'm sure United Healthcare would love to hear from you just as long as you're not interrupting their "chocolate donut eating while throwing darts at a dartboard" method of deciding who is worthy of medical therapy and who is not.