“Shut Up! The Government Says” – McConnell on Humana Letter
EmailABC’s Z. Byron Wolf reports: Democrats announced yesterday that HHS was investigating whether the insurer Humana was misleading seniors about health reform legislation. And CMS, the government entity within HHS that administers Medicare told Humana, in no uncertain terms, to cease and desist lobbying its customers on health reform legislation. But today Republicans accused the White House and CMS of trying to implement a “gag order” on insurance companies that provide Medicare Advantage programs. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell does not normally get riled up, but he just gave an impassioned speech on the Senate floor about the gag order, Humana, and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, who initiated the HHS investigation. McConnell referred to Baucus only as “a colleague.” “Using the full weight of the federal government’s enforcement powers to stifle free speech should trouble all Americans — and all of us — even more,” McConnell said. “We cannot allow government officials to target individuals or companies because they do not like what they have to say.” “Shut up! the government says,” said McConnell on the Senate floor of the CMS letter to Humana. “Don’t communicate with your customers. Be quiet and get in line,” he said facetiously. There are two points to remember here. Humana is based in Kentucky, so McConnell is quick to protect them. And second, he is a staunch defender of the first amendment. For instance, McConnell is the often the only Republican to vote against a flag burning amendment when it periodically arises. In a written statement, House Minority Leader John Boehner calls a letter of rebuke from CMS Humana “outrageous” and accuses the White House of “trying to keep seniors in the dark about the consequences of congressional Democrats’ costly government-run health care bills.” “Would the Administration impose this sort of gag order if seniors were being given information promoting the Obama health care plan? I don’t think so,” says Boehner in the statement. “Seniors have a right to know about the cost and consequences of the Democrats’ health care bills, and Republicans will continue to tell the American people the facts about the nearly $500 billion in Medicare cuts that Democrats are proposing.” CMS told Humana in its own letter yesterday, not to lobby its customers on the issue. “CMS is concerned that, among other things, this information is misleading and confusing to beneficiaries, represents information to beneficiaries as official communications about the Medicare Advantage program, and is potentially contrary to federal regulations and guidance for the MA and Part D programs and other federal law, including HIPAA. As we continue our research into this issue, we are instructing you to end immediately all such mailings to beneficiaries and to remove any related materials directed to Medicare enrollees from your website,” according to a letter addressed from Teresa DeCaro, a CMS employee, to executives at Humana. In its mailer to people enrolled in Humana Medicare Advantage programs, Humana said bills being considered in Washington include cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage programs. Saving costs by making Medicare more efficient and cutting down on fraud in Medicaid are key sources of revenue Democrats envision paying for their health reform overhaul. Humana admits in its letter that Medicare and Medicaid need to be run more efficiently, but adds, “if the proposed funding cut levels become law, millions of seniors and disabled individuals could lose many of the important benefits and services (emphasis theirs) that make Medicare Advantage valuable. The insurer also entreats its members to join a “partner” program to get information from Humana about health reform and to contact their Congressman about how important Medicare Advantage is. It is that last part, lobbying, that most frustrated the Democrats. UPDATE: There has been swift and vocal pushback to this Humana flap by Democrats. It has more to do with the assertion that healthcare bills will cut Medicare benefits than it does with the gag order. “As indefensible as it is for insurance companies to send out propaganda for the sole purpose of scaring our nation’s seniors, those who have been paying attention shouldn’t be shocked,” said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. “Insurers have spent millions of dollars to keep in place a system that is breaking the backs of American families with their skyrocketing costs and unfair practices. It’s clear that we are closer than ever to meaningful reform because defenders of the status quo are ginning up lies and scare tactics to stand in the way of fixing our broken system.” And the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee pointed out that McConnell has taken a fair bit of campaign coin (more than $112,000 over his decades-long career). "Mitch McConnell’s full-throated defense of one of the insurance giants seeking to kill health care reform may be unseemly, but it is certainly not surprising given all the Humana money lining his coffers,” said DSCC spokesman Eric Schultz. Most to that point is what one Democratic staffer said. “When my car insurer sends me a notice it is about my deductible not what congress is doing. Humana has plenty of outlets to express their view of potential legislation. They hire armies of lobbyists,” said the staffer. “Finally the information they were providing was misleading – there are ZERO changes to the benefits that Medicare participants are entitled to under the law in this bill.” The distinction here is what constitutes a cut versus a cost saving. Health reform is financed largely by Medicare and Medicaid cost savings. The government will not cut any Medicaid benefits, but they will cut how much money they pay doctors and hospitals for services, etc, potentially affecting benefits in the future. And Medicare Advantage plans are another separate issue. These privately administered Medicare-plus other benefits plans are an alternative to the fee-for-service that seniors on normal Medicare receive. They also cost the government about 14 percent more per person.
Sen. DeMint: GOP Race Could Go Until Convention 
Obama Avoids Questions on Contraception Rule
Kinda sounds like Iran, now doesn’t it?
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | September 22, 2009, 3:37 pm 3:37 pm
Typical Obama bullies,you can not tell the truth,just shut up and take your medicine. Too bad that’s the way,Chavez may run his dictatorship,but we are not his subjects.We are citizens and have the right to hear the truth…Taking 500 Billion from Medicare will harm the program that a lot of Seniors depend on,and that is the truth,something the Democrats have a hard time acknowledging.
Posted by: Marion | September 22, 2009, 3:37 pm 3:37 pm
ahh Republicans always defending the Insurance Companies and their LIES! They better or no more Millions from them. Funny a party that was totally against Medicare and wanted to cut funding now all of a sudden cares pluuuuuuuuuuze Give me a break!
Posted by: Angie in PA | September 22, 2009, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm
So the government prefers that a private company that recieves massive government payments refrain from using an official-seeming mailing to the customers that company has, under that government contract, to alarm and agitate the populace in a fairly deliberately political way?
Well that’s outrageous! Why can’t they be more like James Buchanan, and just let them do “whatever” on the federal dime?
Posted by: T | September 22, 2009, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
Seniors are a target for health insurance company’s. They insinuate that they will be financially destroyed if they don’t buy their insurance, or they need to have this coverage or that coverage when in truth, they take the elderly for every dime they can and fail to pay out like they promise. If there was a brain, in Washington DC, just an iota of common sense, then we would be under a single payer system and the hatred and profit making system we have in place now would not be an issue.
Posted by: brenda | September 22, 2009, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
I’ve got no use for Mountain Top Removal McConnell or his Big Coal Mining loving wife Elaine. Both are a P.O.S. Bought and paid for by big business and to heck with the middle class. Remember the Utah mine disaster?? You can thanks Mitch’s wife Elaine for those deaths. The McConnell’s are big buddies and hid bad inspection for the mine owner. Garbage, not worth spitting on.
Posted by: Torque in Ky | September 22, 2009, 3:48 pm 3:48 pm
If the republicans are so concerned about the seniors and the mis-information that they are no doubt receiving from Humana who looking after it’s profits and the Republicans think the current health system is so great; maybe the government should do away with Medicare all together. Think of the money we would save. We would truly be able to balance the budget by simply telling the elderly to stop being deadbeats looking for government handouts. Get a job you slackers! – Glen Beck
Posted by: Beck Knows Bo | September 22, 2009, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm
Kentuckians, you can do better then Mitch McConnell. He votes to fatten his pockets and to heck with you poor and middle class folks. Get rid of him, he gives your beautiful a bad name.
Posted by: Jim | September 22, 2009, 3:52 pm 3:52 pm
This administration needs to be brought to Justice for undermining the Constitution. If we the people have to do it ourselves, so be it! If the ballot does not work, then we will turn to the 2nd Ammendment!
Posted by: Anicholas | September 22, 2009, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm
Apparently someone who is supposed to represent the people of his state desided that the people he means is corporate people. He is all for free speech…as long as it’s corporate free speech and as long as the truth is considered a minor point.
Posted by: KsDevil | September 22, 2009, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm
Hey Ugly McConnell, NO company that has a Financial motive has the right to do this. Just shows what these “Money Hungry, Don’t Care about You or Your Mama” companies care about. McConnell TELL you “bullies” and “buddies” at Humana to tell me their lies. I’m Not Elderly…..tell ‘em to pick on ME, and I bet I’m not “SCARED” of their lies. Boy, McConnell and Humana is sure trying to hold on to their “GRAVY TRAIN”
Kentucky needs to Fire this “seat warmer”
Posted by: sara | September 22, 2009, 4:43 pm 4:43 pm
Anicholas – what are you suggesting? Be careful! The Secret Service doesn’t take comments such as yours lightly, and they shouldn’t either.
Posted by: geecee | September 22, 2009, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm
With Regards to Health-Care,Many don’t have Constructive debates about The Facts and Reality that affected millions of Americans.
What they’re offering are destructive competition seeks to benefit an individual/group/organism by damaging and/or eliminating competing individuals, groups and/or organisms; it opposes the desire for mutual survival. It is “winner takes all” the rationale being that the challenge is a zero-sum game; the success of one group is dependent on the failure of the other competing groups. Destructive competition tends to promote fear, a “strike-first” mentality and embraces certain forms of trespass.
What American needs a Healthy Debates that reflected on REAL cheaper,smarter business alternatives market,NOT polital motivated market.that monopoly about the facts.
The Facts : American Needs Contructive and Real Market Competition to make Health-Care more affortable and Cheap to all Americans,If this not an option practices,then the truth all americans are at losing game on everything,Not even with a Good Policy,or Good judgement Senate or Good President can do much.
Thru my experienced working abroad,convinced me that on my agrument about the reality of Facts that Americans are at downhill of his lifes,not only on his Health-Care,but everything in life,.
Let me bring example how we are losing out to compete in real market practice,,according to director of public relations and marketing,Mr Geoff Moss,a medical tourism company set up in 2002,sends more than 3,000 patients a year overseas,”Singapore ‘s values proposition is medical innovation,especially stem cells,plus there are state of the art doctors and facilities ‘said Mr Moss.
One is Ms Suzzane Rakow,who recently had a tumor removed at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre,after being diagnosed with early stage breast cancer.The treatment would have cost her an estimated US100,000 in US,Her Singapore trip-including flying over,her stay and treatment costs come to just under US30,000.
“so I saved US70,000,in all she said”,her time in singapore included a two week holiday in Bali during a month break between surgery and starting radiation treatment”
One reason for their confidence in seeking treatment in Asia is the stamp of Qualification these Hospitals have accured with JCI accreditation,JCI or Joint Commission International,accredits hospitals that meet the quality of care expected of good hospital in United States.All 15 Hoispital in Singapore have such credentials.WHO rated singapore on world wide standing as 6th position .while US at 37 position on Health-Care..Thats the Fact weither you like or Not!
Posted by: Jack999 | September 22, 2009, 5:21 pm 5:21 pm
So Humana gets to take billions of dollars of taxpayer money in the form of direct subsidies, then use the money to fund a publicity campagin that LIES to seniors and the disabled about proposed health care reform? How do us working folks get a deal like that?
Posted by: BBear | September 22, 2009, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm
Medicare Advantsge plans have been a God send for millions of people. It gives them healthcare protection at an affordable price. If you are disabled and under 65 health insurance is unaffordable–Medicare Advantage plans have been a blessing for those people.
If this leglislation is passed they will lose their Medicare Advantsge plans –whether it is Humana or another carrier! Are we now not able to voice our opinion on issues that are of concern to millions of people? What else can we expect to be told not to do??
Posted by: Linda Broughman | September 22, 2009, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm
Gag order, our government? Yep, the government cannot tolerate inconvenient truths getting in the way of this government controlled healthcare it wants to sell.
Whatever happened to democracy? why do we elect officials who try to sell us something? Can we trust any of them?
Let’s strive to bring all the house home in 2010, replacing them with “guy next door” types that will serve a couple of terms and come back home to their life.
Guys that love babies and hate abortion. Guys that hate taxes and are smart enough to know the government can’t run anything efficiently.
Guys that know the government can’t change climate, only taxes.
Let’s do it America, clean the house and one third of the senate!
Posted by: Ed Taylor | September 22, 2009, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm
McConnell has taken a fair bit of campaign coin (more than $112,000 over his decades-long career).
“Mitch McConnell’s full-throated defense of one of the insurance giants seeking to kill health care reform may be unseemly, but it is certainly not surprising given all the Humana money lining his coffers,”
I am in KY… and cannot stand McConnell… who is only looking out for himself… no one else… He is a highly paid lacky of the insurance industry…
Posted by: theafalcon200 | September 22, 2009, 6:40 pm 6:40 pm
How long have they known about the Charlie Rangell imporprieties? Hows the prosecutoin on that coming?
Posted by: deanbob | September 22, 2009, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm
Once again, here is the administration negating the opinion of any person who does not agree with the plan, in this case saying “…those who have been paying attention”. Your Jedi mind tricks and reverse psycho babble do not convince me that I am “uninformed” or “mislead”. Dear Leader, you still have plenty of explaining to do…and you just can’t seem to do it, no matter how many TV appearances. Rookie
Posted by: jonec1200 | September 22, 2009, 7:17 pm 7:17 pm
Just one question.
Since WHEN does a corporation have freedom of speech?
That is a right granted to INDIVIDUALS.
I am sick and tired of corporations buying the votes in our legislature. They have the money to buy the votes (including McConnell’s). Our elected officials are not representing the PEOPLE.
Posted by: savemyhealthcare | September 22, 2009, 7:50 pm 7:50 pm
How come nobody slapped a gag order on AARP when they came out trying to rally the seniors to be in favor of the proposed health plan??? How many clips did we see of their gatherings where seniors were treated poorly and told to shut up?? Interesting…
Once again it seems that the government is trying to suppress any and all that have a differing opinion than what they are offering. Their actions are reprehensible!
We should be gravely concerned at this point!!!!!!
Posted by: come on people | September 22, 2009, 9:34 pm 9:34 pm
It sure sounds like the Obama administration is getting all “wee-weed up” on this one.
Posted by: Jeff | September 22, 2009, 9:44 pm 9:44 pm
This administration has repeatedly made attempts to limit free speech. This consist of both the attempts to track opposition on the internet and this most recent attempt. The health care reform legislation is expected to take some real money out of Medicare advantage. This is a concern to the people enrolled in the program, the insurance companies and the providers. They companies have every right to convey their concerns to those enrolled.
Posted by: merchantilist | September 22, 2009, 10:01 pm 10:01 pm
It would almost be sad, as we watch the Republican party implode right before our eyes, Obama is smart just let them talk, they are destroying the party with the likes of Glen B, and Rush L. it is so sad, the party has no platform in which to speak from so they get on the platform of just about any group, everyone is looking for camera time and they appear foolish. The healthcare debate is the rope for the Republican party. Ask yourself in the previous eight years what did the party accomplish, absolutely nothing, now here comes President Obama, and guess what, this president, senate, and congress is focused. Humana is simply involved in gutter business practices. Ladies and Gentleman should I remind you there is no bill, yet. Set tight let them bring a bill to the floor then we can talk…..
Posted by: dwa34 | September 22, 2009, 10:42 pm 10:42 pm
Horse Hockey. Republicans are always all for defending the profits of private insurance and doctors.
When do billion dollar industries have equivalent freedom of speech rights as me! That’s disgusting – it’s pretty clear to see that their high dollar freedom of speech has bought them alot of politicians.
When the republicans start sticking up for ordinary americans again I might listen more thoughtfully.
Ginny Browne-Waite is a pathetic shill. I wrote her about Health Provider X continually having to be contacted for bills not processed. I have insurance and have cancer.
Pretty god awful that oncologists are specialists and your health plan charges you more to see them. Pretty awful that because you might have a rare cancer you have to face the inquisition because they don’t believe you should have 4 oncologists and they don’t think your treatment is on their approved formulary.
How many of you think acceptable customer service is a voice response unit? How many of you think that lapses in paying bills on a timely basis is acceptable?
We need a law with some serious teeth – I have insurance from year to year but its a crap shoot should I need them to do their job for which they have been collecting premiums for.
I’ve paid for insurance since I first started worked 35 years ago. For insurance companies to game the system in hopes that you die and they don’t have to pay your bills is just plain evil.
Posted by: trueblue | September 22, 2009, 11:10 pm 11:10 pm
The Senator is right. Where does HHS (WH)get off telling an insurance company or any company what they can and cannot say to their customers? It doesn’t matter where the heck the insurance company is based. They have no right to tell anyone to “shut up” on this idiotic health care reform. The current administration and congress knew there would be a backlash on this health care reform. That is why they tried so hard to pass it before the August recess. Way to go Senator. Keep up the good work. God Bless.
Posted by: d | September 22, 2009, 11:12 pm 11:12 pm
Has anyone heard/read how Medicare will be affected? Will we still have Medicare? Will we pay more? How will it change our benefits?
I am beginning to feel like a lamb ready to be slaughtered!
LET US ALONE!!!
Posted by: Grams | September 22, 2009, 11:23 pm 11:23 pm
Freedom of speech? Bait & switch for sure! HIPPA laws are supposed to protect our private information, but then Humana uses that same info to send lobbying material which includes, at the very least, misleading info & scare tactics about Health Care Legislation. Something stinks in Washington and in Kentucky. It must be all that smelly profit made off the backs of hardworking folks that Humana shares with Mitch.
Posted by: J.A.S. | September 23, 2009, 12:25 am 12:25 am
Capitalism is what employees America! Is the goal here to be a third world country? We can’t all work for the government, without corporations the government will have no money.
Posted by: Shar | September 23, 2009, 7:41 am 7:41 am
A note for everyone that thinks this gag order is a good thing. You think it’s fine for the gov’t to censor free speech. Just wait until they come for your particular free speech and no one is left to protest it! And tell me exactly what this Humana letter said that was incorrect. Obama is pushing health care reform in general with no known specifics, five or so different bills, the Baucus bill with no 500+ amendments. He wants us to fall in line with a plan with no specifics and not to be concerned abouts its effects. Sorry, he is NOT Dear Leader and we do still have freedom of speech, at least for a little while longer if this is a harbinger of what is to come. We should all be concerned with this over-reach of the fed gov’t.
Posted by: lynn | September 23, 2009, 9:03 am 9:03 am
It is still free speech. You don’t agree, fine. let them read and decide.
Believe it or not the Seniors are not idiots theyre just older citizens who believe in free speech.
Posted by: bruce | September 23, 2009, 9:05 am 9:05 am
didn’t the cbo come out yesterday and say kind of the same thing as Humana? Who is lying now?
Posted by: rose | September 23, 2009, 9:27 am 9:27 am
Exactly my point. Tell me what is incorrect in the Humana letter. The gov’t has no right to issue a gag order just because they don’t like what a company says.
Posted by: lynn | September 23, 2009, 10:24 am 10:24 am
“Kinda sounds like Iran, now doesn’t it?”
No, Flock of Seagulls had their own distinctive sound.
Posted by: Jess Sayen | September 23, 2009, 11:03 am 11:03 am
savemyhealthcare | Sep 22, 2009 7:50:31 PM: “Just one question.
Since WHEN does a corporation have freedom of speech?
That is a right granted to INDIVIDUALS.”
Sorry SMHC, “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; …”
If you don’t like what a company, as with an individual, simply confront that company (individual) or just leave, but don’t even think of depriving a company, or individual from being able to offer their perspective – right, wrong or waffle.
We in the U.S. OF A. do have libel and slander laws to address statements that may meet the legal limits of free speech that have been established by precedent, or legislatively.
A company (individual) has the right to defend itself (him/herself), even against oppression by an unboundedly publicly and privately funded Government, or part thereof.
What is the purpose in forcing effectively undebated legislation into law when it will not take effect for years to come? Why not openly be able to examine, suggest, discuss and decide with all parties involved on any legislated matter? Isn’t that how a representative democratic republic is supposed to function?
Money? How do you think the House Cap and Tax bill got passed? – bought votes. How is Reid going to attempt to get enough votes to pass a Senate “Health” bill? – bought votes. The buying of votes does not make for a good or bad Bill, just a bought piece of legislation. Your tax money at work.
And how does the public address the snow job (being kind) being perpetrated by our current President and his supporters if they can’t debate, or even discuss the matter (nearly a one sided Presidential supportive media)?
As always, if a legal matter is in question let’s challenge the company (individual) in court and be done with it. In other words prove guilt (then punish if called for) don’t deprive a company/individual of the right to be guilty slander or libel.
Posted by: paullm | September 23, 2009, 11:44 am 11:44 am
They have a right to inform their customers of what is gingt o affect them. You people out there that really believe you can cut 500 Billion from a a program, add another 13 million people to it and still expect the same service are rather ignorant and in need of some education on economics. And don’t peddle that garbage that they will make it up in waste and fraud controls…..if that were the case then why isn’t that being done NOW to make the program more efficent? BO and the Dems will loose big time on this play.
Posted by: Adam | September 23, 2009, 12:00 pm 12:00 pm
Gimme a break!
Posted by: ray sparks | September 23, 2009, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm
I am a registered, voting Republican who voted for President Obama. We need change! If the Democrats don’t want us to see what they are voting on – it deserves a NO vote. If the party in power dose’nt want us to read it or see any of the highlights of the legislation, it deserves a NO vote. You cannot reduce Medicare by $500B without smoking something! Jesus..Pharma? I’m paying $122 for a prescription I can have shipped to my house, totally paid, for $24.95 from Canada! Our Congress sucks! Don’t put a “notch” on your gun – put something out there we can live with. Our Congress? We would be better off with plumbers, carpenters, electricians and truck drivers.
Posted by: ray sparks | September 23, 2009, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm
I am a lifelong Republican who voted for change. I voted for our President.I still believe in his ideas but I have “0″ confidence in our Congress to do the right thing. When the president makes “deals” with people – they are not binding. Congress passes laws – not favors!! Jesus..what is wrong with you people..?
Posted by: ray sparks | September 23, 2009, 1:56 pm 1:56 pm
So the here we go again, the GOP protecting “the liars” AGAIN! SICK!
Posted by: Joker1956 | September 23, 2009, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
Freedom of speech is guaranteed to individuals AND corporations by the constitution. Like it or not, that’s a fact! I have voted both sides of the aisle, because it’s what I believed in, not political ideology. If you are not concerned about what is going on, and that this arrogant administration can put a gag order on a company through HHS and get away with it you are not in the least aware of constitutional law, let alone how amateurish this administration is. Stop ranting in these blogs and actually educate yourself WITH an open mind and then make a judgement, but look at both sides. Do you even know what socialism is? What it stands for? Check out the presidents advisors. The csars, see what they stand for and what their past is. Really check on it. If after you have done that, and feel comfortable that these people are advising our President and still feel the same way, fine. That’s why we are Americans!!!
Posted by: acsports | September 23, 2009, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm
Funny the Obamar’s dont mind the big drug companies spending over one hundred million dollars to promote the plan (they made a deal) but let someone try to inform their customers that the government is about to destroy healthcare and they shut down the discussion … facists
Posted by: Scott | September 23, 2009, 5:16 pm 5:16 pm
Our government has a long and illustrious history of issuing healthcare-related ‘gag orders.” Consider that the U.S. had a “global gag rule” on family planning organizations, prohibiting the groups from even discussing abortion for many years if they received US funds. Talk about stifling ‘free speech.’ Fortunately, that was overturned by executive order recently.
Criticize government-funded/run healthcare as much as you want, reds. The minute you cross the line and start tinkering with the EXISTING single payer, national plan — umm, that would be Medicare — the 44+ million Americans on that program are going to exercise THEIR 2nd Amendment rights and line up your sorry, non-compassionate arses in the sites of their shotguns.
Ignorance is bliss; ignorance is Republican. Healthcare is a right.
Posted by: Zeug | September 23, 2009, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm
I don’t trust either side very much, but I probably trust big-government less than I trust big-insurance.
I don’t see much wrong with the Humana letter … it just seems to be expressing an opinion of their business, an opinion also shared by a majority of citizens and the CBO. That is, you won’t magically eliminate $50 billion in fraud/waste by just cutting funding by that same amount. If it was that easy, it would already be done.
The fraud/waste will probably continue. It’s a fact that Medicare is a ponzi scheme which will be bankrupt in a few years. It seems more likely the missing $50 billion each year will either expedite the bankruptcy or result in reduced patient coverage.
Posted by: Open-Mind | September 23, 2009, 7:00 pm 7:00 pm
Are we taking a cue from Hugo Chavez? Since when is speaking the truth censored by the government here in America? Oh, yeah, Obama is President now.
Posted by: Sunnyr | September 23, 2009, 7:03 pm 7:03 pm
I was curious about whether corporations have free speech rights, so I googled it.
Yes, they do and they use it very forcefully. Incorporation creates a “legal person” with such rights and protections of a real human being. If you ever get a chance I would recommend you watch “The Corporation”. The documentary goes into much better detail then I can here and you can also watch the whole video online.
Posted by: Open-Mind | September 23, 2009, 7:04 pm 7:04 pm
Corporations have every right to communicate with their customers about potential impact of pending legislation. There is freedom of speech in this country..not sure who the moron was who said that corporations don’t have freedome of speech, individual’s do…well guess what….an individual wrote the letter to their customers…not some unnamed corporation. What is the government so afraid of? Having their lies revealed? There’s no question about it…obama and the rest of his socialist cronies are a bunch of liars.
Posted by: Ron | September 23, 2009, 8:44 pm 8:44 pm
Is it the same Democrats that still support ACORN that are responding to this article? When will you people WAKE UP! Your rights are about to be stripped from you and you can’t even see it!
Anyone with a brain would not argue that the health care system in America needs changes. But the same brain would have to argue vigorously against a complete overhaul. That is not what MOST people want and not what any of us need. There needs to be representative debate and coalition. Throw out all of the lobbyists, listen to, “We the people…, and then institute changes slowly so they have time to be evaluated. We need competition, not socialization. The Government has no business trying to run MY health care.
As to the gag order. I did not see the same outraged by the liberal left loonies when David Axelrod sent out his email blast to people who unwittingly had their email addresses lassoed. Why not? It is that dreaded double standard. Free speech, is only free to the left! Grow up gang.
Finally, here is a prescription for you: 1. Read. You might be surprised what you can learn. 2. STOP drinking the Koolaid! It is hazardous to your health and deadly to your politics. 3. If you don’t get it, phone a friend. I’m sure we can find someone who still understands the principles this country was founded on to help you understand!
Posted by: don'ttreadonme | September 24, 2009, 9:25 am 9:25 am
the CBO head even points out there will be a decline in benefits/ coverage. why is that not touched in this blob post?
Posted by: stopthemadness | September 24, 2009, 10:54 am 10:54 am
Let’s get this right, all we have heard from the erected officials is ” The health companies are screwing the public”. Now when one defends himself or his company, and HIS COUNTRY, he is ridiculed by the ridiculous. I would like the PUPPETS to realize this bill is soooooo long I really doubt anyone truely knows ALL of the lingo in every aspect of the bill. I DO NOT doubt there is more in the bill to create the CONTROL FREAK a chance to put one more dagger in our great system.
Posted by: J B | September 24, 2009, 11:58 am 11:58 am
thankyou,savemyhealthcare. i too, am tired of hearing lame excuses for not looking out for the interests of people. the reason that the arguments against health care reform are so lame, cold-hearted and ignorant,is because there ARE no valid reasons to continue to support our for profit system. none. not one. notta. the obama administration is breaking its neck to improve health care for all, not make it worse.dems came up with medicare for seniors, repubs fought against it as an “entitlement” now they worry about the medicare suppliment companies?what hypocrites.
Posted by: debi | September 25, 2009, 6:25 pm 6:25 pm
Bryon Wolf, why don’t you do something really novel, like reporting it the way it is. Who knows, you might restore the integrity of the media. I can assure you that the main issue here is the first amendment…freedom of speech. And the CMS wasn’t ‘trying’ to implement the gag order..they did implement it. And I don’t care what Humana said in their correspondence, the government has NO BUSINESS making them ‘shut up’. Why don’t you write an article about how this administration is trying to trample on our God given Constitutional rights. Why don’t you tell Americans that without our Constitution and our amendments, we will LOSE our FREEDOM and become like all other supressed countries…tell them about that, Byron. You just might redeem yourself as a REAL journalist.
Posted by: Patti Hulsey | September 29, 2009, 2:27 am 2:27 am