How Willing are Insurers to Participate in Health Care Reform?
It will be interesting to see how insurance companies will contribute to health care reform. Reform meetings, "originally envisioned as a way to make good on Obama’s commitment to health care reform that comes from the ground up; which turns into a “living-room lobbying sessions, involving some of the biggest stakeholders in the health care industry."
A number of insurers fears that a new public insurance program would compete directly with private insurers…giving the public program an "unfair advantage."
Insurers Seek Presence at Health Care Sessions
Article Excerpt (source: NY Times)
"When supporters of President-elect Barack Obama hold house parties to discuss ways of fixing the health care system over the next two weeks, they may find some unexpected guests."
"The health insurance industry is encouraging its employees and satisfied customers to attend. A trade group representing some of the nation’s largest health care businesses, including drug companies, is organizing several meetings. The American Medical Association and other medical societies are encouraging doctors to get involved."
"The meetings, originally envisioned as a way to make good on Mr. Obama’s commitment to “health care reform that comes from the ground up,” could thus turn into living-room lobbying sessions involving some of the biggest stakeholders in the health care industry."
