This week, the health insurance industry started its public relations campaign to convince the American people that the American people really don't want health insurance reform. Yeah, trust them. Just like you can trust your insurance company every time they have a problem. Almost everyone I know has some horror story of dealing with their insurance company. They're in the business to deny coverage -- but, now they want you to think they're on your side. As if. The insurance front group, America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), is launching, get this, a "listening tour."
This all started because of Health Care for America Now, the uber-coalition fighting for universal health care coverage. That coverage won't happen unless the insurance industry is reigned in. That means the insurance companies are going to spend massive amounts to defeat health care legislation.
Part of the insurance industry's p.r. campaign is a toll-free number -- 800-289-1136 -- for all of you to call with your ideas. One problem: Just like the industry they represent, no one answers the phone:
You've got to say this for the folks at AHIP, they're authentic. This is just like calling a health insurance company. No one is ever available.
No doubt, the health insurance lobby is going to spend a fortune to kill reform. They're going to be hiring a lot of lobbyists -- including Democratic lobbyists -- to defeat health care for all. In fact, the industry has already hired one Democratic organizer:
Field staffers will organize volunteers and work with local leaders in up to 20 states. To run the grass-roots activity, AHIP hired Beth Leonard, who was John Edwards’ state director in New Hampshire during his recent presidential campaign.How one goes from Edwards to AHIP is beyond me. How any Democrat can take money to fight health insurance reform is also beyond me. But, plenty will.
