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How Insurers Got Their Way With Reform

Early, sophisticated lobbying effort paid off for health care industry

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 26, 2009 1:40 PM CDT
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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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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 32 comments
d3wd
Oct 28, 2009 5:41 AM CDT
@Cat-Lover You need to read it more carefully. The 'general welfare clause' is merely stating why specific powers were given to the federal government. It does not imply that the federal government can do anything, as long as it is providing for the general welfare.
tomodachi
Oct 27, 2009 11:50 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.
sanagalrc
Oct 27, 2009 2:50 AM CDT
So much sarcasm it's dripping off the period at the end of your sentence.

 
health insurance • lobbying • health care reform • America's Health Insurance Plans

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