http://thinkprogress.org/2009/10/15/insurance-company-patients-dogs/
QuoteIn the state of New York, insurers are legally prohibited from discriminating against individuals who submit large claims. So when Guardian, a major insurance company, was faced with the high-cost claims of 37 year-old muscular dystrophy patient Ian Pearl, it decided to cancel its entire line of coverage in the state of New York rather than pay for Pearl's claims. In an e-mail obtained by The Washington Times, it was revealed that one executive at the company refers to patients like Pearl as "dogs" that the company can simply "get rid of":
Legally barred from discriminating against individuals who submit large claims, the New York-based insurer simply canceled lines of coverage altogether in entire states to avoid paying high-cost claims like Mr. Pearl's. In an e-mail, one Guardian Life Insurance Co. executive called high-cost patients such as Mr. Pearl "dogs" that the company could "get rid of."
A federal court quickly ruled that the company's actions were legal, so on Dec. 1, barring an order by the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Mr. Pearl will lose his benefits.
The cost of Pearl's annual treatment is approximately $1 million a year. The Pearl family is unable to receive the quality health care that Ian needs. "One-on-one skilled nursing is essential," Mrs. Pearl said.
Ain't life grand?
I repeat: :x :x :x
This is why insurance companies should be abolished.
No, see we're all wrong. Health Care Reform isn't needed at all. Everything is peachy keen. I'm sure God will visit Mr. Pearl and make all of his troubles vanish, right after all of the good-hearted Conservatives give him all of those donations they keep talking about contributing. Yep, it will be okay. Besides, they're just "dogs" anyway.
The insurance lobby is almost as powerful as the banking and prison guard lobbies. So expect more of the same to come, I suppose.
And it's legal! Someone needs to turn this fucker around because we obviously took a wrong turn somewhere and are lost in the fucking woods.
Quote from: RWH1N1 on October 16, 2009, 02:26:40 PM
And it's legal! Someone needs to turn this fucker around because we obviously took a wrong turn somewhere and are lost in the fucking woods.
We could just eat these guys.
Actually, I'd really like to see the cost/benefit analysis on that one.
"Well, we could either pay out this guy's claim and lose $1M a year, or we could cancel every policy in his state, and lose $950k in future profits."
"So, we'll be saving $50k if we fuck this guy over?"
"Yup."
"Let's make this happen!"
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on October 16, 2009, 02:33:23 PM
Quote from: RWH1N1 on October 16, 2009, 02:26:40 PM
And it's legal! Someone needs to turn this fucker around because we obviously took a wrong turn somewhere and are lost in the fucking woods.
We could just eat these guys.
This.
Quote from: LMNO on October 16, 2009, 02:34:52 PM
Actually, I'd really like to see the cost/benefit analysis on that one.
"Well, we could either pay out this guy's claim and lose $1M a year, or we could cancel every policy in his state, and lose $950k in future profits."
"So, we'll be saving $50k if we fuck this guy over?"
"Yup."
"Let's make this happen!"
Technically, he didn't call him a "guy", he called him a "dog".
Quote from: Nigel on October 16, 2009, 03:01:41 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on October 16, 2009, 02:33:23 PM
Quote from: RWH1N1 on October 16, 2009, 02:26:40 PM
And it's legal! Someone needs to turn this fucker around because we obviously took a wrong turn somewhere and are lost in the fucking woods.
We could just eat these guys.
This.
INSURANCE AGENT CHEESE BURGERS FOR ALL!
this is like a cullinary revolution...
All kidding aside...does anyone see any of this ending, any time soon? Unless they pass lobbying reform, we're all screwed.
Quote from: Cicero
Unless they pass lobbying reform, we're all screwed.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on October 16, 2009, 03:08:21 PM
Quote from: Cicero
Unless they pass lobbying reform, we're all screwed.
I know they are TRYING in SCOTUS to get this through, but I don't see it ever happening. Not in my lifetime, and not to any discernible degree.
At this point it's pretty damn clear to me Congress ain't going to do jack shit to help us. Sure you have a Grayson or a Wiener here and there who champion meaningful reform, but they are drowned out by the Baucaus and the Landrieu's who only want tepid reform that won't really do anything, but, it's something to pad their resume. But I know I'm preaching to the choir here. We all knew this was going to happen when they started this process. I think we all pretty much called it. The Dems cave to the GOP and Health Insurance lobby. Fuck, we could've written this script a year ago and we would've pretty much been spot on. So that means it's up to the "Teh American People!", and we've seen how reliable THEY are. I just don't know. I think there are just too damn many NIMBY's for anything to ever change.
Anybody want to do some digging and find out if anyone had called this during the elections?
Quote from: LMNO on October 16, 2009, 03:42:57 PM
Anybody want to do some digging and find out if anyone had called this during the elections?
:wave:
...Thus Spake The Prophet.
Quote from: RWH1N1 on October 16, 2009, 03:19:55 PM
At this point it's pretty damn clear to me Congress ain't going to do jack shit to help us. Sure you have a Grayson or a Wiener here and there who champion meaningful reform, but they are drowned out by the Baucaus and the Landrieu's who only want tepid reform that won't really do anything, but, it's something to pad their resume. But I know I'm preaching to the choir here. We all knew this was going to happen when they started this process. I think we all pretty much called it. The Dems cave to the GOP and Health Insurance lobby. Fuck, we could've written this script a year ago and we would've pretty much been spot on. So that means it's up to the "Teh American People!", and we've seen how reliable THEY are. I just don't know. I think there are just too damn many NIMBY's for anything to ever change.
We need to do another letter writing campaign. We haven't done one since 2004, IIRC.
Quote from: LMNO on October 16, 2009, 03:44:46 PM
...Thus Spake The Prophet.
No divine powers were required for that one. :lulz:
(http://www.nataliedee.com/092909/if-you-cant-pay-a-million-dollars-in-medical-bills-you-deserve-to-die-anyway.jpg)
"if you can't pay a million dollars in medical bills you deserve to die anyway"
again, piled higher and deeper
This kind of stuff infuriates me.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on October 16, 2009, 03:45:15 PM
We need to do another letter writing campaign. We haven't done one since 2004, IIRC.
I'm down. What's the plan.
Quote from: Dimo1138 on October 16, 2009, 06:21:19 PM
This kind of stuff infuriates me.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on October 16, 2009, 03:45:15 PM
We need to do another letter writing campaign. We haven't done one since 2004, IIRC.
I'm down. What's the plan.
Well, the last one, about 50 of us wrote the ex-speaker, Newt Gingrich, and said all manner of horrible things...usually in the form of "congratulatory" letters inducting him into various organizations (Mine was The Loyal Order of Robert McNamara).
I can see something similar here, to the jackass who made the "dog" comment.
QuoteIt is still legal in nine states for insurers to reject applicants who are survivors of domestic violence, citing the history of domestic violence as a pre-existing condition.
http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/denied_coverage/index.html
QuoteLosing Coverage When You Need It Most
Thousands of Americans also lose health insurance each year through a practice called rescission.
When a person is diagnosed with an expensive condition such as cancer, some insurance companies review his/her initial health status questionnaire. In most states' individual insurance market, insurance companies can retroactively cancel the entire policy if any condition was missed – even if the medical condition is unrelated, and even if the person was not aware of the condition at the time. Coverage can also be revoked for all members of a family, even if only one family member failed to disclose a medical condition.10
A recent Congressional investigation into this practice found nearly 20,000 rescissions from three large insurers over five years, saving them $300 million in medical claims11 – $300 million that instead had to come out of the pockets of people who thought they were insured, or became bad debt for health care providers.
At least one insurance company has been found to evaluate employee performance based in part on the amount of money an employee saved the company through rescissions.12 Simply put, these insurance company employees are encouraged to revoke sick people's health coverage.
http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/denied_coverage/index.html
I think a side of insurance CEO shishkabob will go nicely with banker tenderloin, eh?
Always more room on the plate.
Remind me again why getting insurance is supposed to be useful?
Quote from: Requia ☣ on October 16, 2009, 10:00:46 PM
Remind me again why getting insurance is supposed to be useful?
Shut up. Eat your Big Mac.
This message brought to you by the good people that own your ass.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on October 16, 2009, 03:45:15 PM
I can see something similar here, to the jackass who made the "dog" comment.
Do we know who this tool-box is?
Quote from: Dimo1138 on October 16, 2009, 11:35:25 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on October 16, 2009, 03:45:15 PM
I can see something similar here, to the jackass who made the "dog" comment.
Do we know who this tool-box is?
Trying to find out.
Quote from: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/oct/14/ny-insurance-company-tries-to-rid-itself-of-high-c//print/In an e-mail to four other Guardian executives entered into evidence in the Pearls' suit, company Vice President Tim Birely discussed how the company could "eliminate this entire block to get rid of the few dogs."
Google for "Tim Birely" comes up with only quotes of this story.
"Tim Bireley" looks like the guy we want.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/tim-bireley/a/ba4/304
Quote from: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Guardian+Life+Insurance+Company+of+America.-a0161749052In addition, TIMOTHY BIRELEY has joined Guardian Group Insurance as vice president of group medical. He brings 25 years of operations and financial management experience in various health insurance companies. Previously, Bireley worked with Assurant and was responsible for HSA HSA Health Savings Account (US)
http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:5xXzTAP7iXUJ:www.linkedin.com/pub/tim-bireley/15/1a4/b21+%22Tim+Bireley%22+Assurant&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk
Still no contact details, but a bit of info/history for those who are looking for him.
EDIT: Fixed quote.
ETA:
Quote from: White PagesTim Bireley
7 Hanover Sq, Fl 14
New York, NY 10004-4013
(212) 598-8000
Job: Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, Vice President
I smell danger.
Getting closer: http://watchdog.net/contrib/53097/timothy_bireley
Quote
Timothy Bireley from zip code 53097
Oh holy shit. You have to be kidding me. I need someone to verify if I have the right guy, but if I do he's a fucking idiot.
Edit: NOPE. Pretty sure I don't.
Anything in earlier links which could verify? Didn't see replies after my post, so editted it.
There's a phone number in it now, and an address.
Quote from: Paesior on October 17, 2009, 04:42:46 AM
Quote from: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/oct/14/ny-insurance-company-tries-to-rid-itself-of-high-c//print/In an e-mail to four other Guardian executives entered into evidence in the Pearls' suit, company Vice President Tim Birely discussed how the company could "eliminate this entire block to get rid of the few dogs."
Google for "Tim Birely" comes up with only quotes of this story.
"Tim Bireley" looks like the guy we want.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/tim-bireley/a/ba4/304
Quote from: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Guardian+Life+Insurance+Company+of+America.-a0161749052In addition, TIMOTHY BIRELEY has joined Guardian Group Insurance as vice president of group medical. He brings 25 years of operations and financial management experience in various health insurance companies. Previously, Bireley worked with Assurant and was responsible for HSA HSA Health Savings Account (US)
http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:5xXzTAP7iXUJ:www.linkedin.com/pub/tim-bireley/15/1a4/b21+%22Tim+Bireley%22+Assurant&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk
Still no contact details, but a bit of info/history for those who are looking for him.
EDIT: Fixed quote.
ETA: Quote from: White PagesTim Bireley
7 Hanover Sq, Fl 14
New York, NY 10004-4013
(212) 598-8000
Job: Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, Vice President
That's his WORK address, right? 'Cause we wouldn't ever post anyone's home PI, you know.
Yeah, work address and phone number.
Pretty sure isn't direct number, too.
Holy shit, it is him. He lives in WISCONSIN??? I'm astonished that he would say something like that with his home address publicly listed. Maybe he's moved and it's outdated.
There was something I hit earlier which said the same.
Phone/Address are same things you get at Guardian website.
Quote from: Nigel on October 17, 2009, 04:54:32 AM
Holy shit, it is him. He lives in WISCONSIN??? I'm astonished that he would say something like that with his home address publicly listed. Maybe he's moved and it's outdated.
I think previous job was in Wisconsin.
Quote from: Paesior on October 17, 2009, 05:00:13 AM
Quote from: Nigel on October 17, 2009, 04:54:32 AM
Holy shit, it is him. He lives in WISCONSIN??? I'm astonished that he would say something like that with his home address publicly listed. Maybe he's moved and it's outdated.
I think previous job was in Wisconsin.
That makes sense.
So what are we going to do with this information?
I feel a congratulatory letter coming on. :lulz:
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on October 17, 2009, 05:14:25 AM
So what are we going to do with this information?
I feel a congratulatory letter coming on. :lulz:
This sounds like a promising idea.
The anticipation... It's killing me.
Quote from: Dimocrates KSC on October 17, 2009, 05:44:12 PM
The anticipation... It's killing me.
WTF? Then write one yourself. Jesus H Fucking Christ.
You and your bullshit makes me really wish this board had a goddamn ignore function. You contribute nothing, and you post sarcastic bullshit like that 24/7.
And don't think I don't know the shit you pulled at GLP, asshole.
It wasn't meant to be sarcastic.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on October 17, 2009, 05:48:34 PM
And don't think I don't know the shit you pulled at GLP, asshole.
I've been there... Once. I've never even registered or anything. Going to a web site is "pulling shit?"
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on October 16, 2009, 02:33:23 PM
Quote from: RWH1N1 on October 16, 2009, 02:26:40 PM
And it's legal! Someone needs to turn this fucker around because we obviously took a wrong turn somewhere and are lost in the fucking woods.
We could just eat these guys.
I would go back to eating meat for this. And the bankers. And possibly Congress.
This letter-writing campaign sounds like a very interesting idea.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on October 17, 2009, 05:14:25 AM
So what are we going to do with this information?
I feel a congratulatory letter coming on. :lulz:
:mittens:
I will totally get down with an ironic letter writing campaign
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/22/politics/main5408951.shtml
QuoteSenate Majority Leader Harry Reid is feeling the heat from his liberal colleagues to include a government-run health insurance plan, or "public option," in the Senate health care bill.
Now, as Reid and other negotiators move closer to unveiling their health care plan, liberal advocacy groups are ratcheting up the pressure, saying they will run Reid out of Washington if he does not bring a public option to the Senate floor. With a tough re-election bid ahead of Reid next year, the liberal "Netroots" could potentially make good on their threat. Coming from a purple state, that puts Reid between a rock and a hard place -- and has some local progressive activists at least somewhat worried.
One television ad pressuring Reid to support the public option is already out: The Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) is running a spot for at least five days in Las Vegas called "Is Harry Reid Strong Enough?"
"I'm your typical swing voter," Lee Slaughter, a Las Vegas nurse says in the ad. "I voted for Republicans for president, and I voted for President Obama. I also voted for Senator Harry Reid many times. But in 2010, I'll only be voting on one issue. I'm watching to see if Harry Reid is strong and effective enough as a leader to pass a public health insurance option into law."
FDL Action, the political action committee for the progressive group FireDogLake, is also planning to pressure the majority leader on the subject. The group has already targeted a handful of other moderate Democrats for not supporting a public option, like Arkansas Rep. Mike Ross, who has since come under a firestorm of scrutiny from all directions.
The message from the left is that a large Democratic majority in Congress is meaningless if the caucus is unwilling to support liberal causes.
"I'll take a Chuck Schumer-run Senate with 57 Democrats (bye bye Reid, Lieberman, and Lincoln) than a Harry Reid-run one with 75 Democrats," Markos Moulitsas Zúniga wrote last week on the liberal blog network Daily Kos.
Bob Fulkerson, the state director for the nonprofit Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, disagrees with that reasoning.
"Certainly we'd all like to see a barrage of progressive legislation get passed left and right, but even if we elected a more liberal senator than Reid -- likely impossible given Nevada's conservatism -- that would do nothing to change the dynamics of the Senate, where there's a number of conservative Democrats and Independents," Fulkerson told CBSNews.com. "And, would these lefty blogger types be happy with a right-wing senator to replace Reid who is openly hostile to all of our interests? Because that's where their strategy could lead."
Reid wouldn't necessarily hold up against a Republican opponent any stronger than a new Democratic candidate would, contends Ben Tribbett, executive director of the Accountability Now PAC. In fact, he said, having a relatively unknown Democrat in the race could be a good thing.
"There's an oft-quoted statistic that 98 percent of incumbents win re-election, but that's not the case with Senate incumbents in recent years," he told CBSNews.com. "People are able to mobilize earlier, and a lot of those incumbent advantages no longer exist."
Excluding senators who never draw strong challenges, he said, the chances for re-election are closer to 50-50. Furthermore, Tribbett said, a Republican candidate would be able to raise more money running against Reid than against another Democrat.
"Harry Reid's only chance to win this election is representing his own base and bringing a strong public option on the floor," he said.
Indeed, if liberals in Nevada do not get behind Reid next year, he could see his four-term Senate career come to an end. A recent Mason-Dixon poll showed the Nevada senator trailing two possible, relatively unknown, Republican challengers. Real estate developer Danny Tarkanian led Reid 48 percent to 43 percent in a hypothetical matchup, while those polled favored former GOP party official Sue Lowden over Reid by 49 percent to 39 percent.
Finally some liberals with some brass balls.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/22/AR2009102202820.html?hpid=topnews
Ok, seems to me the House Dems have more of a plan than the Senate Dems. As in: the House Dems are trying harder to change things for the greater good and the Senators are more invested in compromising the shit out of any real reform.
Anyone else get that sense?
Yep. Also, Harry Reid is a piece of shit. I ready somewhere he has some kind of "non-aggression" pact with John Ensign, which is why he hasn't called that piece of crap out for being a piece of crap. Also, he has received money from Ensign's parents. Can we move Alan Grayson to Las Vegas please?
Well, sounds like he's getting pressure from his homebase to get his head out of his ass.