BlueCross BlueShield has been extremely aggressive in fighting healthcare reform, and they're taking the fight to their customers. In North Carolina, their tactics have resulted in an investigation by the state attorney general. In North Dakota and in in Illnois, BCBS and its licensees have been sending what amount to extortion letters to customers, threatening huge premium increases should healthcare reform pass, and urging them to contact their members of Congress to fight it.
Small business BCBS customers in Kansas City have gotten very simliar letters to what was sent in Illinois.
A small business owner in the Kansas-City area who carries BCBS insurance for her employees forwards us a letter she received earlier this month from BCBS of Kansas City. The letter, from Tom Bowser, the CEO of BCBS-KC, describes the public option as an "unnecessary government intrusion in the private financing of health-care," which will "cause millions to lose their current private coverage," and will create "long waits for service with some providers closing their doors."
Bowser also informs recipients that BCBS-KC contracted with an actuarial firm to produce a study on the impacts of health-care reform. Unsurprisingly, this study found that reform would increase costs, but also that strong mandates -- an aspect of reform supported by insurers -- are necessary.
Bowser closes by telling recipients: "I am asking that you personally engage on these issues by calling or writing your member of Congress." A sample letter to lawmakers, which expresses "deep concern" about reform, follows Bowser's letter.....
[A]s we've noted before, a health-insurer enlisting customers in a legislative campaign is unfairly playing on its customers' vulnerability. When the institution on which you depend for health insurance directs you to take action, you may feel some pressure to do so. The government this fall investigated another health insurer, Humana, for sending letters to beneficiaries urging them to lobby lawmakers against proposed cuts to Medicare Advantage.
According to BCBS, they provide coverage to "100 million people or one-in-three Americans." No wonder they don't like the idea of competition, since they've got a pretty good racket going.
