Americans for Quality and Affordable Healthcare Surrounded by Secrecy
On Sunday the Associated Press reported that an organization called Americans for Quality and Affordable Healthcare (AQAH) that is run by Moore & Van Allen law firm in Charlotte , N.C. is secretly supporting independent groups around the country that oppose the recent health care legislation proposed by democrats in Congress. Despite attempting to arouse a strong public reaction against this attempted health care solution, AQAH offers very little clues towards determining who is behind the initiative. This organization has two goals: prevent a public option from being offered and support legislation that requires all Americans to buy insurance. Since the insurance industry has opposed this legislation for these two main reasons, some speculate that they are in fact behind this mysterious organization.
Even though the Moore & Van Allen law firm will not openly say which health related companies they represent this statement gives vague clues: “…some of America’s foremost hospitals, multi-institutional health care systems, physician groups, specialty providers, lenders and insurers.”
To find out how this organization is shaping the health care debate in key states and be better able to determine what information is actually coming from independent American groups, read this Associated Press article.
Insurers say legislation will increase premium costs
Results from the Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield cost analysis.
Through this article from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the insurance industry claims that prices for health coverage will rise if the new legislation backed by democrats is implemented. More specifically, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is the most recent company to provide evidence backing this argument widely supported by the industry. Others backing the public option say these numbers are in fact a scare tactic used by the insurance industry to prevent the bill from being passed by Congress. In fact, these individuals claim that prices will most likely rise more without the public option being a viable alternative. This article gives two interesting perspectives on an important aspect of this debate and data is explained, which is always helpful in deciding what interests are best for you.
Wall Street Journal: Republicans question AARP’s support of health care legislation
In a recent letter from three Republicans in the House Ways and Means Committee, AARP was questioned about the monetary benefits they would receive from supporting the new health care legislation in Congress at the expense of the seniors that belong to the organization. AARP has insurance plans under United Health Group, Inc. involve about 3.6 million people. Recent legislation backed by democrats in Congress has proposed spending on traditional medicare be cut, which some critics of AARP argue gives this organization more profits because these individuals will be buying up additional plans no longer covered by medicare. Sixty percent of AARP’s profits are from licensing deals with organizations like United Health Group, Inc., which makes this argument quite plausible. AARP has denied these claims saying that they do not endorse any specific legislation in Congress at this time. This, however, does not change the fact that democrats are utilizing their support.
Link: Republicans Target AARP’s Ties to Health-Insurance Industry
LA Times: Insurance companies could benefit from health care reform
Even though the health care industry has shown strong opposition to the recent attempt by liberal democrats to reform the current system, the Los Angeles Times shows that this legislation could actually benefit them even if passed into law. The newly proposed initiative would require millions to buy health insurance and give the industry many more customers. If the public option is actually pursued, the industry may also make some key wins that cause the government option to be less of a competitive threat to the current private industry. This article also mentions the impact of monetary donations from insurance lobbyists. Two examples given from the Senate are sceptical democrats Ben Nelson from Nebraska and Evan Bayh from Indiana who have both been given over $470,000 since 2006 from the health care industry.
CNN says Healthcare Debate is Costing Special Interests
According to a recent CNN article, special interest groups are lobbying to sway public opinion and spending record amounts in the process. A “government watchdog group”, has reported that $263 million has been spent by special interests to lobby Congress. CNN also says that there are 3,000 people registered to lobby Congress specifically about healthcare– this means 6 people for every Congressman. There are lobbyists on both sides of the aisle attempted to push this issue and the public should be aware of exactly how much they are spending to influence the public debate.
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