Obama: Health Industry Deceiving Consumers

President Says "Dishonest" Ads and Studies from Insurance Lobbyists Are Designed to Mislead

(AP)  President Barack Obama pushed back against critics of his health care plan on Saturday with a stern warning that absent reform, costs will continue to rise and eventually devastate the U.S. economy.

The administration is trying to build momentum for the effort following a 14-9 vote this week by the Senate Finance Committee for legislation that would extend health care to millions of people.

Democrats hailed the vote as a victory, in part because the bill was supported by a Republican, Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe. But the legislation faces considerable opposition with the health insurance industry, labor unions and large business organizations lining up against it.

"The history is clear: For decades rising health care costs have unleashed havoc on families, businesses and the economy," the president said Saturday in his weekly radio and Internet address. "And for decades, whenever we have tried to reform the system, the insurance companies have done everything in their considerable power to stop us."

CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

Earlier this week, the health insurance industry released a study concluding that the Finance Committee bill - one of five competing House and Senate health care measures - would raise premiums significantly for millions of people who already have health coverage. The report drew intense criticism from the White House, Democrats in Congress and other advocates of the bill.

President Obama took aim at the report in his speech, contending that industry was "filling the airwaves with deceptive and dishonest ads," sending money and lobbyists to Capitol Hill and paying for studies "designed to mislead the American people."

In general, the bills moving through Congress would require most Americans to buy insurance, provide federal subsidies to help lower-income people afford coverage and help small businesses defray the cost of extending coverage to their workers.

The measures would bar insurance companies from denying coverage because of pre-existing medical conditions and limit their ability to charge higher premiums based on age or family size. Expanded coverage would be paid for by cutting hundreds of billions of dollars from future Medicare payments to health care providers.

The House and Senate bills also envision higher taxes - an income tax surcharge on million-dollar wage-earners in the case of the House and a new excise levy on insurance companies selling high-cost policies in the case of the Senate Finance Committee bill.

Republican opponents of the bills say the increased cost will be passed on to patients, further job losses and give the government more say in who gets medical care and what kind.

"Americans inherently know government interference drives costs up, not down," Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, said in the GOP's weekly message. "The massive health care plans being crafted behind closed doors in Washington will ultimately allow the government to decide what doctors we can see, what treatments the government thinks you deserve and what medicines you can receive."

President Obama contends the price of not acting will be too high.

He said health care premiums have doubled in the past decade, and out-of-pocket costs have grown by one-third. Unless the system is overhauled as he has suggested, rising costs will mean lower salaries and higher unemployment for workers, lower profits for businesses and larger numbers of people going without insurance, the president said.

"It is no exaggeration to say that unless we act, these costs will devastate the U.S. economy," President Obama said.

[Sloughfoot]

"Obama: Health Industry Deceiving Consumers"

And he's not???????

[endurorob_5]

You won't see it on this web site but the Obama administration is overtly trying to manipulate new orginizations into not critisizing them by refusing to talk to the only news orginization that is willing to look at the administration with a critical eye.


http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/18/white-house-escalates-war-fox-news-1925819282/?test=latestnews

[ianlou]

Faux News Sucks.
During the last administration Fox was the only news station you would find Bush, Cheney, Rove, Rumsfeld or Gonzales interviewed on.

Fox is the opitimy of biased news and they are currently biased in the wrong direction to get members of this White House on their show.

[FreeIgnorance]

this is our reality... what next? http://www.typobounty.com/Funny/Health_Care_Reform2.htm

[jschmidt27]

Some studies indicate that the increased use of high fructose corn syrup is a major cause of the increase in obesity. And Congress has dumped loads of money on farmers to raise corn, and raise votes. So subsidies of corn, lead to higher use of corn syrup leads to more obesity. And Congress has tariffs on sugar to prevent competition with the syrup. So Congress causes the problems and then ends of taxing for a solution. Another example of Congress messing with the economy to a bad end.

[sjc_1]

ADM made sure that America got hooked on corn syrup and then wrong wingers say that it is all the fault of the individual.

[natdef]

According to the CDC, obesity in adults has increased by 60% within the past twenty years and obesity in children has TRIPLED. More than 300,000 deaths per year are attributed to obesity -- second only to tobacco-related deaths!

Both of these issues are largely life-style choices. While it is true that SOME people cannot control their weight effectively due to endocrine or other physiological issues, MOST obese people are so due to excessive caloric intake and a lack of physical activity.

Obviously, aside from second-hand smoke issues, ALL tobacco-related deaths are due to smoking/chewing.

There has been a ubiquitous educational effort underway in this nation to promote healthy eating and exercise habits, and to discourage tobacco use for DECADES, yet the problem continues to dominate our healthcare system.

Why is this the case?

Because people are DISCONNECTED from the financial impact of their choices. We all know how much it costs to buy a gallon of gas, but no one knows what it costs to have an x-ray taken, or lab work, or anesthesia. All we ever see is the co-pay and/or deductible. This disassociation means that many Americans place little to no VALUE on their health choices. They will clip coupons to save a few cents, but will destroy their own health, because they do not see the DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT of their actions.

If we change our system to include greater individual accountability, we WILL SEE LOWER COSTS and a HEALTHIER America.

[jschmidt27]

"Humana?s profit margin was 2.2 percent in 2008 on revenues of nearly $29 billion. Its revenues have more than doubled since 2004, with almost all of the growth coming from the sale of privately administered Medicare Advantage plans. Those plans now account for the vast majority of Humana?s business, a real vulnerability if Mr. Obama succeeds in cutting Medicare Advantage because of its comparatively high administrative costs."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/28/health/policy/28insurer.html

[natdef]

I wish more people would endorse the idea of listening to people inside the healthcare industry.

Also, I wish Obama would have lived up to his campaign promise to have this debate held in the public view. It is very disappointing that everything is going on behind closed doors on Capitol Hill...

[natdef]

A lot of people who protest carry a lot of extreme signs. Many inflammatory characterizations have been used throughout our history by protesters of all political associations.

What does this have to do with the healthcare debate?

It appears as though your effort is to use this information to lump EVERYONE who disagrees with your position into some maniacal fringe group.

Perhaps you skipped the day in Logic 101, when they teach "the exception does not prove the rule..."

[jschmidt27]

The COngress is not looking at the long range affects of reform. The voters want something different as they wanted someone different than Bush. It is obvious they didn't count on the change Obama had in mind even though he was the most liberal Senator. Now they want something different. 85% are happy with the coverage not the bill. So they want something different and not the single payer system the Dems have in mond for the future. Obama and Franks are on record as saying they want a single payer system. Daschle whose book the legislation is based on also wants it. To ignore this is to invite reform that is faulty and ill advised. To deny it is ignorant.

[natdef]

Agreed. It is very hard to predict the "unintended consequences" of reforming such a large and complex system as healthcare.

We should be improving areas where there is widespread agreement (such as interstate competition among insurance companies), not using a "baby out with the bath water" approach.

[natdef]

Sass,

Your "state with the weakest laws" argument is flawed.

Although states now have varying degrees of regulation of their own INTRAstate insurance industry, the federal government (under the Constitution) has the power to regulate INTERstate commerce.

With this power, it is possible to establish NATIONAL legal requirements to determine whether or not an insurance company can provide insurance across state lines.

This is not a bad idea -- in fact, this would promote a dramatic increase in price/value, as many more companies would be competing for consumer dollars. It's capitalism 101. Seems like a good starting point, compared with the oligarchic system that exists in more states today.

[jsd330]

sassafrass019 Check out each individual state and see how many health insurance companies sell in the different states. There are some states that only have 3 to 5 companies selling policies, when there are over 100 health insurance companies, where is the competition? Regulated interstate is the way to go for true competition.

[element51]

The time has come for all of you to face reality. Simply put, if you can't afford health insurance premiums you can just die if you get sick. Society does not owe you a damn thing so quit whining. Those who have money deserve to live and those who do not have money don't. It's time to eliminate ALL entitlement programs and if you can't take care of yourself, tough. The first to go should be social security. What a clossal waste of money. Do you realize that some of that money goes to support kids who have lost a parent or are physically disabled. Why should we care about that? And medicaid should be phased out at once. Why? Because it is wasted on old people who failed to amass enough money to take care of themselves. If they can't pay for their medical care it's their fault. And ALL regulations should be removed from the insurance industry so they can make some real money. It should be mandatory for people to have insurance and then let the insurance companies set the rates. If you can't pay you should be locked up. Just think of how great that would be for the privately run prisons. If you have read this thinking that I am crazy that is exactly what I wanted you to do. Yet there are people who actually believe that what I have written in jest should be our reality. Sometimes when you see something written it tends to hit home. None of the above even comes close to what I really believe but this kind of thinking is not so far off the beam for many out there. I hope that by now most of you are having a good laugh for being taken in. I meant this as a joke but I'll bet some of you aren't laughing.

[natdef]

Reveal,

You are grossly over-stating the case when you suggest that Republicans want to let people die. Do you believe this type of hyperbolic rhetoric advances your position?

It does the opposite.

[natdef]

element,

does it scare you that under the current Democratic-supported legislation, those who cannot pay the excise tax levied against anyone who does not pay for insurance (including those who cannot afford it) can be arrested and put in jail?

this would be unprecedented governement action. never before has the federal government required citizens to pay money or risk arrest JUST FOR BEING ALIVE.

it scares me!

[natdef]

Reveal,

Do you have something against Republican seniors?

Why are people on the right who take political action (your "Tea Party crowd") wrong?

Haven't many groups across our political spectrum and throughout our history sought a redress of grievances by protesting? Isn't this a right as an American? Why do you mock this?

[jschmidt27]

natdef- don't concern yourself with Reveal- he simply disagrees with anyone who speaks differently from Pelosi and Obama. Don't try to reason with him. He's just a public option guy. Maybe he needs it because he seems to be always blogging.

[Anna7321]

Obama's brilliant solution to the problem of those who can't afford insurance: pass a law to force them to buy it. He's a genius!

We just tap into the hidden stashes of money that those darn poor people are hoarding. Or else we tap into the money they're squandering on food, rent, gas, etc.

How many will decide they'll be better off by quitting their low-paying jobs, and go on welfare?

Next, the solution to unemployment: pass a law to force them to get jobs. Put them in jail if they don't obey. See how simple life can be?

[natdef]

Reveal,

Why do you find it necessary to launch personal attacks against anyone who disagrees with your position?

Do you feel that this strengthens your position on this board?

It does the opposite.

[scubbasteve01]

If the Obama Presidency is expected to help with any issues Health Care or otherwise is to succeed in the future of the next 3 years of his term in office is left. It can only happen if somebody is hired outside of politics that has worked in the private sector and can tell this administration what goes on behind closed doors when it comes to take care of this kind of business. A politician that has NEVER had a regular job can tell anybody corporation or otherwise if they have never walked that same path or have been in the same shoes.
Anymore failures from here will add fuel to the fire for the Republican party who may now get votes from people who didn't vote for their party because of Sarah Palin.

[czman11]

It looks like all that oppose the public option forget that insurance companies exist to make profit. Senior citizens are getting upset about loosing Medicare. What is good about current Medicare? Yesterday, I saw in the local hospital what Medicare covers under the plan A. My numbers may not be exactly right since I did not write them down but the initial cap for hospitalization is 1024.00. That brings the cost of the patient to 17.06 per day for fist 60 days. From 61 to 90 days the cost goes up to 250 per day and from day 91 and over its about 550 per day. How is that good program if seniors have to pay such out of pocket expenses? A lot of you say that we have the best health care in the world. If we have such a good care in here, why do doctors carry malpractice insurance? Insurances are money making machines who are looking for ways to make sure that they don't need to pay. I am talking from my own experience. All of you guys that are in opposition of health care overhaul need to make some research and see how is it done in other countries. It can be done and it can work. You should stop listening to politicians and lobbyists and find out for your selves how it works anywhere else. Internet is full of resources and practically available to almost everyone. At least to all of you posting comments in here.

[jschmidt27]

If you do your research back in the Teddys days, Carter was running for re-election. Teddy was also thinking about running for Presdiential nomination. Carter had a healthcare bill that Teddy would not support because if Teddy ran for President he didn't want Carter to have a healthcare bill success. Well Teddy also had a healthcare bill but in the end nothing got passed. Teddy;s ambition prevented him from supporting a Carter healthcare that might have passed since the DEMS controlled Congress. So Saint Teddy let his own ambition get in the way of the healthcare of the citizens. Hope he confessed that to the Pope. So when Dems complain that Republicans didn't do anything while controlling Congress maybe they should lookat their past missed opportunities. What gets passed, I only hope the current innovation and good care we have now doesn't go out the door because we are chasing the buck. You get what you pay for. Public option eventually becomes single payer, and single payers don't work too well because doctors end of being paid less and hospitals lose money.

[natdef]

Reveal,

All of the prominent Democrats involved in the healthcare debate, including Obama, have stated that their "ultimate goal" is a single-payer system, and that they need to get a "foot in the door" with publicly acceptable reform as a first step toward a single-payer system.

So, while you are correct that the current legislation being considered does not include a single-payer plan, it is disingenuous to argue that people who oppose such a system do not have a valid concern that the "government option" being considered is a slippery slope leading to single-payer.

[formerdem-2009]

I'll say one thing for ya Obi-Wan you've got some cojones saying this "filling the airwaves with deceptive and dishonest ads" Your whole administration has been deceptive and dishonest from the start.

"The history will be clear" about you when your gone in 2012 and your legacy is established as a comlpete failure.

[chonder2]

formerdem-Or current Meatpuppet.Keep chanting the corporate line!

[lmartink]

Our lovely insurance company jerks taking on the Godlike powers of who shall live, and who shall die.......

At least President Obama is standing up to a great evil amongst us.

Even more amazing, is that people like you would support the Insurance Companies.

[jschmidt27]

You can sue insurers, will you be able to sue the public option? Will it be easier if Obama and the bureacrats say you shouldn't get covered so you can die. The govt are experts at giving you the runaround. And you'll that will happen is the govt will grow larger. Postal Service, Medicare, SS all losing money and eventually will go bankrupt. What makes anyone think the govt will be able to run the public option efficiently?

[kesac4650]

Why did the Democrats quit talking about this subject for 15 years? From 1994 until 2009, we heard nothing from the Democrats about a healthcare crisis. This is a manufactured crisis to spread fear among the populace. Obama is the Chief fear monger.

[fiberglass3]

Look to the industries that are spending the most on lobbyists in Washington. The Insurance Industry, Oil Industry, Pharmaceutical Industry and the Banking Industry. If they can spread all that money around to influence politicians then I'll bet we are being overcharged.

[sjc_1]

Fundamental Political Science, obtain power and maintain power. If oil, war, drugs, banking or anything else has taken all your money, they have the power to keep doing it, using your money.

[kecc1]

We don't need to worry that delaying reform of health care will devastate the US economy ... our government has already taken care of that.

[jschmidt27]

Every suggestion Republicans have made have been cut in committee by the Dems. The Repiblicans finally got the CBO to estimate the savings with tort reform and found a 50 billion savings. The Dems never wanted to do it because the lawyers own them. The Dems are no in a closed room developing the bill with out Republicans. Are they doing this in a vacumm or taking orders from MoveOn?

[bobbyduck1]

Could this be because every suggestion the GOP has meade is essentially the status quo with a few more twists to screw the little guy while further enriching their insurance company masters? Such as tort reform combined with interstate insurance, so all they have to do is buy a puppet government in one state and get any loose rules they want?

I do favor tort reform but it is such a small part of the overall medical picture now, it isn't actually important. (less than 1/2 of 1% of all costs)

[jschmidt27]

So I guess you can't say Republicans don't care.

[sjc_1]

Republicans care about rich insurance companies and their rich share holders that collect nice fat dividends for doing nothing, but they don't give a darn about the poor working person dying with no health care.

[brian1920]

the only person deceiving is Obama. He is lying about the costs, the rationale, and the results. The government caused the problem and it certainly cannot fix it. Why can't insurance companies compete across state line? Government action prevented it. Where is tort reform? Obama will do nothing. This is about buying 30M votes with another entitlement, nothing else. Our taxes are going to go through the roof.

[natdef]

Reveal5 -- you posted all the same material earlier. Are you a paid blogger, working for the administration? You're just copying and pasting the same tired points over and over.