Congressman Cummings questions former health insurance company employees on 9/17/2009. This is a portion of a hearing in the Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s Domestic Policy Subcommittee titled “Between You and Your Doctor: The Bureaucracy of Private Health Insurance Day 2.”
Duration : 0:6:52
In testimony that Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski called bone-chilling, Colorado mom Peggy Robertson recently shared with a Senate committee the unbelievable story of how a major health insurance carrier refused to insure her and what they suggested she do to make herself eligible for coverage.
In 2007, Robertson was denied coverage by Golden Rule Insurance, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group. In a letter explaining the denial, the company claimed that Robertsons previous C-section made her a financial risk for the company. If she had another C-section within the first three years of coverage, the company would not profit from her policy. It was a risk they werent willing to take and because the Colorado Insurance Division would not allow them to exclude C-section benefits for the first three years, they denied her coverage altogether.
Robertsons story may sound all too familiar, but unfortunately it doesnt end there. In that same letter, Golden Rule went on to suggest what Robertson might do to make herself eligible for coverage: Get sterlized.
That an insurance company would dare to even hint that a healthy woman should be medically sterilized so they can make a profit is, in the words of Senator Mikulski, morally repugnant. But lets face it, women already get the short end of the stick when it comes to health care coverage. Possessing a womb makes us a liability in the eyes of insurers and more than half of them dont even offer maternity coverage. Those who do will often raise the premiums of women who have had C-sections or, as in Robertsons case, refuse to cover them at all.
Of course, women arent the only ones getting a raw deal from profit-driven health insurance companies. Americans are suffering all over under our current system of health care. But when the largest insurance company in the United States feels like they have a right to plan your family to benefit their bottom line, we have a serious problem.
Reupload from SEIU’s Channel
Duration : 0:1:15
Over the better part of the past year, a great debate has taken place in Washington and across America, about how to reform our health care system to provide security for people with insurance, coverage for those without insurance, and lower costs for everyone. From the halls of Congress to the homes of ordinary Americans, this debate has helped us to forge consensus and find common ground. Thats a good thing. Thats what America is all about.
Now, as the debate draws to a close, we can point to a broad and growing coalition of doctors and nurses, workers and businesses, hospitals and even drug companies folks who represent different parties and perspectives, including leading Democrats and many leading Republicans who recognize the urgency of action. Just this week, the Senate Finance Committee approved a reform proposal that has both Democratic and Republican support. For the first time ever, all five committees in Congress responsible for health reform have passed a version of legislation. As I speak to you today, we are closer to reforming the health care system than we have ever been in history.
But this is not the time to pat ourselves on the back. This is not the time to grow complacent. There are still significant details and disagreements to be worked out in the coming weeks. And there are still those who would try to kill reform at any cost. The history is clear: for decades rising health care costs have unleashed havoc on families, businesses, and the economy. And for decades, whenever we have tried to reform the system, the insurance companies have done everything in their considerable power to stop us.
We know that this inaction has carried a terrible toll. In the past decade, premiums have doubled. Over the past few years, total out of pocket costs for people with insurance rose by a third. And we know that if we do not reform the system, this will only be a preview of coming attractions. A new report for the Business Roundtable a non-partisan group that represents the CEOs of major …
Duration : 0:6:6
Questions arise that it’s more of a scam than we think. Health Care could end up to being one big Madoff like scheme.
Is it possible that cronies of Obama or Speaker Pelosi or any other liberal Democrat who supports the Health Care Bill could set up an insurance company, for example Jessie Jackson opens up an insurance company under some other name, and can have the government underwrite it with Jackson as the front man so that they can make a fortune?
In essence, lets say you opened SAVAGE Insurance Co. and the Obama administration was favorable to you, could they say sure well allow you to have about 5 million people and we, the government, will underwrite your plan with taxpayer money and you can take 5% off the top of it, could they do that? And would it be legal?
Duration : 0:6:56
In order to pass a life and health insurance exam, the best thing to do is to take study courses, which can often be done online. Pass the life and health insurance exams through preparation with tips from an insurance broker in this free video on health care and financial planning.
Expert: Vic Schumacher
Contact: www.HPEFinancialServices.com
Bio: Vic Schumacher is part of HPE Financial Services, a brokerage insurance company representing all major carriers.
Filmmaker: Christopher Rokosz
Duration : 0:1:33
Medical insurance provides protection in the event that someone needs to have medical coverage or receive medical attention. Discover how medical insurance works and how it provides tremendous discounts with tips from an insurance broker in this free video on health care and financial planning.
Expert: Vic Schumacher
Contact: www.HPEFinancialServices.com
Bio: Vic Schumacher is part of HPE Financial Services, a brokerage insurance company representing all major carriers.
Filmmaker: Christopher Rokosz
Duration : 0:1:27
This might hurt a little.
Acclaimed filmmaker Michael Moore’s new documentary sets out to investigate the American healthcare system. Michael wants YouTube members to share your Healthcare Horror Stories and tell us about an experience you had with your healthcare insurance company. This is the group where you can post your videos to share with Michael, who will be screening them and sharing them with Congress.
Visit the YouTube SiCKO group at http://www.youtube.com/group/SiCKOthemovie to learn more and upload your story!
To see how other Americans rated their insurance companies, visit http://sicko-movie.com/about.
For the latest news and updates about Michael Moore, please visit http://www.michaelmoore.com.
Duration : 0:1:19
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) calls out health insurance company practices
Visit: http://firedoglake.com
Duration : 0:7:11
Right now the anti-health reformist choose health insurance companies. As they have the power of life and death over their customers.
Aren’t you leaving out the most important person? Why are we totally absolving OURSELVES of the responsiblity to care for OUR OWN SELVES?
YOU are best suited to make the health care decisions right for YOU.
The doctor, the health insurance company, and the government are NOT going to have YOUR best interests in mind, when making these vital decisions.
Health insurance companies do NOT make your health care decisions. YOU still make them. YOU can always choose to have a treatment not covered, if YOU pay for it.
Saying, "oh, it’s their fault I’m not going to the doctor because they won’t pay for it", is an arguement I’d expect from my five year old. Cowboy up, and take care of yourself.
Don’t confuse "Health Care", and "Insurance" or "payment". They are two different things.
**George Bush didn’t change health care. He didn’t make you pick insurance. Where do you HEAR this stuff, and why do you believe it??**
I would love to quit my low paying job, to be home with my daughter. My husband is self employed and we are considering buying or own health insurance, as I’m really only working to pay for daycare and health insurance. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I just don’t know which companies I can trust.
Believe it or not, there are some companies that will provide health insurance to part-time workers. Starbucks for one. The large health care provider / hospital in my town does also. That would be a good solution to your problem. Good health insurance companies include Assurant, United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, WPS, etc. Find out what the A. M. Best rating is for the company. They’ll tell you if you ask. Anything A, A+, or A++ is good.
I believe that the premium will be a tax deductible business expense for your husband’s business. Check with your tax professional.
Good luck.