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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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33

How Insurers Got Their Way With Reform

Early, sophisticated lobbying effort paid off for health care industry

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(Newser) – Though the final bill is still being hammered out, health reform appears to have given the insurance industry most of its wishes. Everyone will be required to buy insurance, there won’t be any limits on premiums, and any public option will likely be weak. They pulled off these anticipated victories after a long and sophisticated lobbying campaign headed by one of Washington’s savviest operators, Karen Ignagni, the LA Times reports.

Ignani convinced the industry that reform was inevitable, and that it could benefit from government-enforced universal coverage. That aligned their interests with Democrats enough to earn the unpopular industry a spot at the negotiating table and frequent audiences on Capitol Hill. They also used their usual tactics, releasing a barrage of studies opposing policies they didn’t like, and pouring campaign contributions into the coffers of conservative Democrats like Max Baucus, Ben Nelson, and Evan Bayh.

Karen Ignani, president and chief executive officer of America's Health Insurance Plans, attends a Senate HELP committee hearing, Oct. 15, 2009.
Karen Ignani, president and chief executive officer of America's Health Insurance Plans, attends a Senate HELP committee hearing, Oct. 15, 2009.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
Karen Ignagni, president of America’s Health Insurance Plans, discusses the political fight over health care reform, Aug. 10, 2009, during an interview with The Associated Press.
Karen Ignagni, president of America’s Health Insurance Plans, discusses the political fight over health care reform, Aug. 10, 2009, during an interview with The Associated Press.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Ben Nelson, an opponent of the public option, has received more than $470,000 in campaign contributions from the insurance industry.
Ben Nelson, an opponent of the public option, has received more than $470,000 in campaign contributions from the insurance industry.   (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)
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I don't know of any other industry that has committed to a massive overhaul of the way their market works. - Karen Ignagni, head of America's Health Insurance Plans, rejecting accusations that insurers have selfishly manipulated the legislative process

While so many in this town have been playing checkers, Karen has been playing chess. - Mark Merritt, the lobbyist in charge of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Assn.

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33 comments
VIEWING:
 
Fondue
Oct 26, 09 1:58 PM CDT
Thanks for fu*king this up moderates. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+10
IN RESPONSE:
tomodachi
Oct 26, 09 2:45 PM CDT
No Public Option = No Reform. Who thinks the Insurance companies should operate without tighter regulation? and yes... this is another example of the need for a new Congressional Job Fail Program. The US citizens need to be able to fire lawmakers who don't act in the best interest of US citizens.
Vote up! Vote down!
+5
IN RESPONSE:
cornelison
Oct 26, 09 9:06 PM CDT
Does anyone remember when Obama gave speeches & said that change comes from the bottom up? That's exactly what needs to continue but at a quicker pace and at a louder volume. How? PRIMARIES. Tell The House & The Senate (those who have to run in 2010) that you want Democratic primaries that will challenge anyone who is not in favor of single payer health insurance. You can ask for a plan like Medicare - a plan for all Americans. Trust me, this is the only way it can be done. Most of Congress is already on the payroll of the health insurance companies. You can find out who they are.
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
IN RESPONSE:
tomodachi
Oct 27, 09 6:50 AM CDT
The real problem here is the fact that corporations and special interest groups have way too much pull with US elected officials. They buy elected lawmakers for open access to US tax revenues as well as favorable laws that allow them to financially rape US citizens. That's mostly OUR fault. The US taxpayers need to demand more power in the control of how our taxes are being spent and how laws are being written. I say the US citizens need a tool... a law that allows them to collectively vote congress members out on their ear. I call that tool: "Congressional Job Fail Program." US citizens need to be able to collectively fire lawmakers who don't act in the best interest of US citizens.
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
davjc09
Oct 26, 09 1:58 PM CDT
Wow. Didn't see this one coming, Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2

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