A brushback pitch that would do Bob Gibson proud
As a few of you may have noticed, I went off-line over the weekend , staying away from the news and the blog. It was a much-needed break.
However, I now see that in his radio address Saturday, President Obama had some harsh words for the insurance industry and its renewed effort to squash health-insurance reform. “They’re filling the airwaves with deceptive and dishonest ads,” Obama said. “They’re flooding Capitol Hill with lobbyists and campaign contributions. And they’re funding studies designed to mislead the American people.”
The most telling passage, the portion of the speech designed to make insurance lobbyists and executives sit up and take notice, was this:
It’s smoke and mirrors. It’s bogus. And it’s all too familiar. Every time we get close to passing reform, the insurance companies produce these phony studies as a prescription and say, “Take one of these, and call us in a decade.” Well, not this time. The fact is, the insurance industry is making this last-ditch effort to stop reform even as costs continue to rise and our health care dollars continue to be poured into their profits, bonuses, and administrative costs that do nothing to make us healthy – that often actually go toward figuring out how to avoid covering people. And they’re earning these profits and bonuses while enjoying a privileged exception from our anti-trust laws, a matter that Congress is rightfully reviewing.
When he threw the first pitch at this year’s MLB All-Star Game, Obama showed the world that basketball, not baseball, was his preferred sport. But I’d say that speech Saturday was a pretty good brushback pitch.
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316 comments Add your comment
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Am I A Racist Too, NFL?
October 19th, 2009
1:04 pm
And just for a moment imagine the deep implications if the insurance companies are ones telling the truth.
Propaganda and coercion, trademarks of the socialists, not the capitalists.
If this is the America you desire…….mmm, mmmm, mmmmm!
@@
October 19th, 2009
1:08 pm
A U.S. president who reserves his threats for American businesses?
I’m sooooo impressed. NOT!!!!
FrankLeeDarling
October 19th, 2009
1:10 pm
About time.
danjonglee
October 19th, 2009
1:10 pm
Clear the playing field…..
ADL
October 19th, 2009
1:11 pm
Consider the source of the remarks and they lose all relevance.
Brad Steel
October 19th, 2009
1:12 pm
Can’t say I blame the insurance industry for trying to protect their market. It is bogus, but the republicans need some professional help with their PR and message.
But the ‘pubs will probably ignore the sophisticated help of their rich benefactor and just reduce the message to name calling. I’m looking forward to the pitiable response to Obama’s speech with a renewed screech of “Obama is a Socialist!!!”
Brad Steel
October 19th, 2009
1:13 pm
That didn’t take long.
Pokey
October 19th, 2009
1:14 pm
Pure demogoguery.
JB why has the CBO contradicted so many of BHO’s claims about “reform”????
Why didn’t Baucus submit actual legislative language for the CBO to consider?
Do you think it is acceptable to pass “reform” via reconciliation?
Why has BHO gone back on his promise to ensure this process is “transparent”??
Mrs. Godzilla
October 19th, 2009
1:16 pm
As he said Thursday night……He’s just getting started.
Now pick up a a mop!
K_Chub
October 19th, 2009
1:25 pm
Insurance companies telling the truth? Whiner, on what planet do you reside? You’re going to actually lead with that? I can’t even imagine living in such a delusional state as you. You live on this blog because you crave attention apparently maintaining any semblance of credibility is collateral damage in that effort.
booger
October 19th, 2009
1:29 pm
Basically the insurance companies message is that premiums will go up under the Baccus bill. Of course they will go up. If forced to insure anyone who walks through the door, regardless of pre-existing conditions, these extra cost will be passed to consumers. If the feds add a new tax to the healthcare industry, as the bill calls for, these cost will be passed on to consumers.
For those who say they can just take a lower profit, consider this. 2008 net profit for five of the largest health carriers were:
CIGNA……1.52%
AETNA……3.99%
UNITED…..3.96%
WELLPOINT..4.49%
HUMANA…..3.55%
This is hardly the robber baron profits the administration and the media would lead you to think they earn. These are not even respectable numbers when compared to most industries.
Yet, when the insurance industry points this out, they get punished for it. This admin. has become just a playground bully.
@@
October 19th, 2009
1:30 pm
Since Obama appears impotent up against Putin, I guess he (Obama) is restricting his war to the homefront.
TASS probably couldn’t have done it better. And NBC correspondent Jim Maceda seemed to be channeling Soviet Russia’s official state-run news agency in his glowing account of Russia Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s heavy-handed dealings with some small businesses. Putin was, he said, “combating Russia’s deep recession hand-to-hand.”
Maceda, in a July 6 “Nightly News” segment, spoke admiringly of Putin’s evolution from bureaucrat to Russian president, and now Renaissance man.
“Over the past decade, Vladimir Putin’s morphed into more roles than a Hollywood star,” Maceda said. “From Boris Yeltsin’s shy obedient yes-man to the imperious leader, the action man, bomber pilot, artist and lately the people’s prime minister combating Russia’s deep recession hand-to-hand – harassing a supermarket manager for marking up pork prices.”
As Maceda reported, Putin’s mere mentioning of prices being too high scared one manager into lowering them.
“’They’re very high,’ said Putin,” Maceda explained. “‘It will be lower tomorrow,’ was the quick reply.”
But the most egregious example of Putin’s brash-and-bully ‘em method involved a cement factory in Russia. Maceda failed to find anything wrong with Putin’s magical ability to convince a private-sector plant manager to reopen a plant and rehire all the workers, even if there was no business.
“And this showdown at a cement factory near St. Petersburg,” Maceda said. “When orders dried up, managers shut the plant laying off hundreds until Putin shamed the bosses, even tossing a pen and ordering one of them to sign a promise to rehire every worker. Now other towns are hoping for some of Putin’s special attention.”
The NBC foreign correspondent did suggest that the former KGB man wasn’t acting solely from concern about consumers and workers.
“What’s behind the populism?” Maceda said. “Some think Putin’s already campaigning for the 2012 presidential election.”
Obama is a cheap knock-off of Putin. No wonder NBC is in “the tank” for Barack.
http://www.businessandmedia.org/articles/2009/20090707101104.aspx
Taxpayer
October 19th, 2009
1:30 pm
Leave it to a Republican to say “Bad Obama” and “good Insurance company”. I thought Republicans were all for free markets yet I don’t hear them clamoring to end the insurance company stranglehold via their exclusion from anti-trust laws. Don’t you guys want more competition amongst insurance companies? Some in the GOP would rather slit their own throats and bleed themselves dry than see a Democrat effort succeed. I’m OK with that but the problem is that they’re not just slitting their own throat. They’re hurting others in the process. They’re hurting the children.
AmVet
October 19th, 2009
1:33 pm
“And just for a moment imagine the deep implications if the insurance companies are ones telling the truth.”
Without LSD or Prozac, perhaps I could. But as lucidity prevails, I’ll simply ask, “You’re kidding, right?”
Even this so-called public option is a watered down threat they want no part of.
And if you think they’re upset now, just get single-payer on the table. It will be all out war on K Street.
As Nader said you don’t cut deals with the system you’re trying to replace.
The one that has bankrolled, to some large degree or another, and demands fealty from, virtually every member in the US Congress…
To wit, in the past six years, nearly one-fourth of every dime raised by Baucus, D-Mont., and his political-action committee has come from groups and individuals associated with drug companies, insurers, hospitals, medical-supply firms, health-service companies and other health professionals.
http://www.mtstandard.com/articles/2009/06/14/state/hjjajdifjijigd.txt
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Am I A Racist Too, NFL?
October 19th, 2009
1:36 pm
Taxxie- Anti trust? Because they comply with government regulations?
Mrs. Godzilla
October 19th, 2009
1:37 pm
booger
data from where?
Disgusted
October 19th, 2009
1:38 pm
When an aide once pointed out to Josef Stalin that the Pope would likely take exception to a proposed Russian action, Stalin famously replied, “And how many divisions has the Pope?”
And now the insurance industry is taking exception to proposed actions by Obama. My question is, “And how many dollars has Obama?”
ByteMe
October 19th, 2009
1:44 pm
Also, booger, consider operational profits — profits from actually providing health care coverage networks — from profits that include the investment losses they all incurred from investing their spare cash in real estate products no one understood.
Kamchak
October 19th, 2009
1:44 pm
It’s comforting to know that the insurance cos. have their priorities straight.
The health care sector has spent $263 million this year lobbying Congress for changes to reform plans, a government watchdog group estimates.
That’s a huge amount of money. How many people could purchase health insurance with that much money? According to USA Today, the average health insurance premium for an individual is $4824. Dividing $263 million by $4824 tells us that 54,500 individuals could have purchased health insurance with the funds spent by the health care sector in their lobbying effort this year
Taxpayer
October 19th, 2009
1:46 pm
Andy,
Do you even know what I’m referring to with the anti-trust laws. Think Ma Bell if you need a recent case study.
booger
October 19th, 2009
1:47 pm
Mrs. Godzilla,
These numbers are straight from the 2008 audited financial reports of the companies. Go to google financial page and pull up any public company you wish and the financials are available.
Taxpayer
October 19th, 2009
1:49 pm
Of course, net profits means that the cost to hire those 350+ lobbyists has been deducted, along with everything else that is considered an expense. Net profits!!! Nice buzz words.
Pokey
October 19th, 2009
1:50 pm
Booger, don’t confuse Mrs. Godzilla with facts.
I wonder what kind of margins the trial lawyers have??
Pokey
October 19th, 2009
1:52 pm
I wonder how much money the trail lawyers spent on lobbyists and contributions? May they could have given some of that money to their clients?
How much money has Fannis Mae and Freddie Mac spent of lobbyists? How much did BHO receive?
Paul
October 19th, 2009
1:55 pm
Kudos to PriceWaterhouseCoopers and their industry-sponsored report, who on Page One noted “this report is based on a few factors that the insurance industry wanted considered and does not consider other factors that would blow their case out of the water.”
That’s where the Pres should fire his shots – not at some entertainers on Fox. And, those shots would have more effect if he isn’t seen to be crying ‘wolf’ each time he’s upset.
Paul
October 19th, 2009
1:57 pm
Pokey
[[I wonder how much money the trail lawyers spent on lobbyists and contributions?]]
Democratic Mantra #5: “Insurance Companies Bad, Defense Lawyers Good.”
Morning Star
October 19th, 2009
1:57 pm
(((And they’re earning these profits and bonuses while enjoying a privileged exception from our anti-trust laws, a matter that Congress is rightfully reviewing)))
And why, pray tell, should these conglomerates be enjoying a priviledged exception from antitrust laws? Without strict government (yes government) regulations and restrictions on BOTH the public AND private sector, a receipe for disaster will always occur.
To believe a “Laissez Faire Attitude” of non-interference will work, is to believe without a doubt that Santa will fly down from the North Pole on Dec. 24. The fox cannot guard the hen house. His natural instincts will prevail.
Pokey
October 19th, 2009
1:59 pm
Paul,
What is inaccurate in the Price Waters report?? Tell us!
Turd Ferguson
October 19th, 2009
2:02 pm
“their profits, bonuses, and administrative costs that do nothing to make us healthy – that often actually go toward figuring out how to avoid covering people.”
Avoid covering people? Hmmm…Seems to my most policyholders NEVER read their policy. If one isnt covered then why is the big bad insurance industry expected to hand out free coverage?
Obobo and his lies are inciting panic. He seems to not know much about many things.
Marsh
October 19th, 2009
2:04 pm
Good speech, let’s hope he delivers.
Marsh
October 19th, 2009
2:07 pm
You the man, Keith!
http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/2009/10/halter_announces_free_clinic_d.aspx
I Report (-: You Whine )-: Am I A Racist Too, NFL?
October 19th, 2009
2:08 pm
Do you even know what I’m referring to with the anti-trust laws.
Taxxie- Insurance companies are specifically prohibited from crossing state lines by government regulations.
They are required by government regulation to charge more for a personal insurance plan versus a group plan.
Yes, do explain.
Morning Star
October 19th, 2009
2:10 pm
((( If forced to insure anyone who walks through the door, regardless of pre-existing conditions, these extra cost will be passed to consumers)))
I just had a brilliant idea. Why don’t we simply show some compassionate conservatism and NOT provide care to those who have pre-existing conditions, as well as those who can’t afford to pay out of pocket.
Wonder how many of those who prattle here today would feel the same way if he or she lost their job, their child became ill, and affordable health insurance was not an option. You know, that little pesky item called money that keeps folks from obtaining affordable health care when unemployed or underemployed?
Yep, if little Johnny or Sisie was gonna go on to Glory without proper health care, they would definitely be crying a different tune. You betcha.
Pokey
October 19th, 2009
2:10 pm
Yeah Marsh! Let’s run those evil insurer’s out of business!!! The world will be a better place without them.
Why we’re at it, let’s run the oil companies, coal companies and pharmaceutical companies out of buisness!! Yeah!!! I don’t know about you but it will make me feel better!
Hmmm…I wonder how many people they employ??? No worries, BHO is going to create 5 MILLION green jobs!!!
stands for decibels
October 19th, 2009
2:11 pm
Just fyi, the healthcare sector overall looks to be operating at a nice 11.37% net profit margin these days.
bob
October 19th, 2009
2:12 pm
I just bought a salvage title car from Katrina, can you believe those greedy auto insurance fatcats will not pay to fix it ? Some greedy pig adjuster said the damage had to have occurred after I bought insurance. Since we have to have auto insurance, when is Obama going to stand up to these corporate thieves. Why do we have to pay a damn dime for insurance before something happens ? This greed is killing us, whats next, do I have to have homeowners before my house catches on fire ?
Scooter
October 19th, 2009
2:12 pm
Do you even know what I’m referring to with the anti-trust laws
I don’t know about Andy but I don’t know what you are referring to Taxpayer.Would you mind telling me? Thanks and confused!
Paul
October 19th, 2009
2:13 pm
Pokey
Let me restate: the PWC report was accurate, given the factors they were contracted to include. But what they did was note that other factors would give a more complete picture (and different conclusions).
It’d be like a food manufacturer telling a chemist “Calculate how many calories and fat grams are in one of our muffins. Include only flour, salt and water in your calculations.”
Then the report notes “if butter and oil would have been included, results would be different.”
Bosch
October 19th, 2009
2:15 pm
Oh yeah bob – good job – comparing auto insurance to health insurance
AmVet
October 19th, 2009
2:16 pm
By 2005 the number of registered lobbyists in Washington has more than doubled since 2000 to more than 34,750 while the amount that lobbyists charge their new clients has increased by as much as 100 percent. Only a few other businesses have enjoyed greater prosperity in an otherwise fitful economy.
The lobbying boom has been caused by three factors, experts say: rapid growth in government, Republican control of both the White House and Congress, and wide acceptance among corporations that they need to hire professional lobbyists to secure their share of federal benefits.
“There’s unlimited business out there for us,” said Robert L. Livingston, a Republican former chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and now president of a thriving six-year-old lobbying firm. “Companies need lobbying help.”
Lobbying firms can’t hire people fast enough. Starting salaries have risen to about $300,000 a year for the best-connected aides eager to “move downtown” from Capitol Hill or the Bush administration. Once considered a distasteful post-government vocation, big-bucks lobbying is luring nearly half of all lawmakers who return to the private sector when they leave Congress, according to a forthcoming study by Public Citizen’s Congress Watch.
Political historians don’t see these as positive developments for democracy. “We’ve got a problem here,” said Allan Cigler, a political scientist at the University of Kansas. “The growth of lobbying makes even worse than it is already the balance between those with resources and those without resources.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/21/AR2005062101632.html
Marsh
October 19th, 2009
2:18 pm
Pokey @ 2:10,
Single payer all the way! Yes, we will!
Pokey
October 19th, 2009
2:18 pm
Stands,
Look at your handy chart and what does it say the margin is for “health care plans”?????????? Go further…click on it to see the company breakdowns.
Tell us…what is a fair margin??
And why you are at, tell us what qualifies you, Bookman, BHO, Reid, Pelosi, et al to render a judgement as to what is fair????
joe matarotz
October 19th, 2009
2:21 pm
Speaking of Bob Gibson, if he got the sign to intentionally walk a batter, he hit him with the next pitch. His reasoning was, “Why waste four pitches when one will do?” You didn’t mess around with Bob.
As far as the insurance companies flipping out, maybe Obama is on the right track after all.
Angry Black Man
October 19th, 2009
2:21 pm
I want some of whatever Bob’s drinking…
Pokey
October 19th, 2009
2:21 pm
Wait Marsh…single payer?? BHO said we’d get to keep our coverage if we wanted, right?? He did say that didn’t he??
stands for decibels
October 19th, 2009
2:25 pm
Look at your handy chart and what does it say the margin is for “health care plans”?????????? Go further…click on it to see the company breakdowns.
Tell us…what is a fair margin??
Why would I tell an industry what that’d be? I’m just giving people a link to some stats, something you seem fearful of doing.
By the way, I wasn’t disputing your numbers for those insurers; then again, companies that are in the business of hedging losses might have been expected to have had a difficult 2008, being that there was that recession thingie going on.
Marsh
October 19th, 2009
2:26 pm
Pokey @ 2:21,
That’s what he’d like you to believe….
Pokey
October 19th, 2009
2:28 pm
I am not fearful of it at, Stands. Sorry, you are.
Booger listed health insurers, the target of BHO’s remarks and JB’s post, numbers. You listed the link to refute it and references an 11% number to do so.
thomas
October 19th, 2009
2:31 pm
But Obama had no problem with a congressman from his own party claiming that the republican option id for you to “die quickly”…
So again per your president…..it is bad for insurance companies to say anything that may be untruthful…..
While also per our president……….. it is ok and understandable that a member of their party would say on the house floor that the republican plan is for you to die quickly…….. Not a peep from our President on that one…
The guys pi$$es away credibility with each and every quote he makes.
How dare those darn insurance companies make a profit of almost 5%. Those freaking rats……
Marsh
October 19th, 2009
2:32 pm
NIF,
Hurry and get back on here. You need to finish your rant, er, I mean, thought, from 12:14, previous topic.