Nataline Sarkisyan's Parents Come Fact-to-Face With Former CIGNA Executive Wendell Potter

[funkyflights]

First and foremost a bone marrow transplant SHOULD NOT COST 700,000 dollars.... WTF is that all about.... second and insurance company has nothing to do with health care directly so why do we even have them ? All they do is deny care to save themselves money and deny people with any pre-existing condition to even obtain it.... WTF kinda system is that ? Hospitals take advantage of insurance companies by charging ridiculous rates... Insurance companies then deny payments and people die!!

[RipKatePersten]

i knew her personally

[doctorconradmurray]

@RipKatePersten If you knew her, can you tell me, was she putting out?

[faceswithin]

the govermenet votes in what they should get in there pay checks, from our money. They send our money to othere people to heal them. Most upper goverment people get paid 179,000.00 a year.. there jets cars homes heathcare we pay this. But djlaetor is right too what is the answer I don't know.

[edmondov]

These people irrational. Humans are so arrogant and spoiled that they can't even accept the reality of survival of the fittest and death. I defend the health insurance companies in this case. Most countries don't even have transplant capabilities.

[Ramadl59]

@edmondov

If that was your daughter,mother,sister would you feel the same way?

I'm from Australia and everyone has free health care,and there's an unbiased waiting list on transplants.

What's wrong with that? it doesn't make us socialist.

Better than a young girl dying for profits

[somefarkerdude]

They're talking about the good ol' US of A fucknut, not some 3rd world shithole.

[desighnedmilitent]

HELL YEA MOTHERFUCKERS glad potter got his ass in gear,and proud to share that family name

[johnlouisville]

I was hoping that this story would go into 24-7 rotation during the health care debate last summer...but it was the Town Hall screamers who had the last word about the "horrors" of univeral health care...warning of "death panels" to come when they clearly already existed.

[Scoppertop]

Thanks for posting my vid! Let's Do It!

I really appreciate the nod of approval, and bow in return.

[bkelsey4]

Healthcare should had never become a business or for profit industry.We are literally talking about putting a price tag on people's lives.If saving your life or your child's cost more than their profit margin then guess what?You're as good as dead.America is finally starting to see that greed is not good;that some things are worth more than money.Why are we paying for insurance that tries to screw us over every chance they can,that tries not to give us back a dime?Shut down these vampires.

[phred03]

we need to be one payer, federal care...or 50 separate countries entirely. This federal/state dilemma is becoming ridiculous. It really does matter what state you live in. Massachusetts will kill healthcare because of their state's healthcare without regard to the country's need.

[pharbizorg]

It never ceases to amaze me that, Insurance industries get away with this. Care for patients should be considered PRIMARY and the share holders SECONDARY. A healthy country is a productive country. Less fat cats at the top, means a better USA. Canada has universal health care where people have access to timely care where denials do not happen. Truly, I ask, what right does the insurance board have to be the Judge/Jury/Executioner? None. The right to life. No exceptions.

[tylertyler82]

WHY ARE WE ALL DYING OF CANCER????????

[djlaetor]

So - if we don't want money to make the decision who is worth spending over a quarter of a million dollars to fix, what will? Prestige? Fame? Social status? Nepotism? Something will have to make that decision. Money is a bad choice, but it is the best choice of a whole slew of alternatives that would create even more corruption and evil. Soviet Russia is the best example of what happens to a health care system run by social connections, instead of money.

[biguy617]

the only way America can get single payer is if the people petition for a single payer ballot question state by state.

[ViraIVideos]

We will fight for you Nataline.

Not for profit. Not for Greed. Insurance should be protection.

[shadowturk]

i hate when people act when its personal but people have been dying this has been an issue for a while

[Dreki8]

Why don't we just get rid of all the insurance companies? We don't need them and they are little more than ghouls and vampires.

[esd2000]

If 45,000 American citizens died in airplane crashes in one year Congress would act quickly no matter the cost. 45,000 people dying because of the lack of insurance is I guess a faceless number they can just ignore. SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!

[goog2k]

Predatory corporations already own Washington. The new Supreme Court decision will allow a corporation to run false attack ad campaigns against anyone they wish. That means they can now EXTORT every politician in the U.S. to do anything they want to increase profits.

You think you're getting screwed by health insurance companies, Wall Street, and credit card companies now. Just wait. All consumer protection will be the first to go.

We haven't seen anything yet.

[blomstersenter]

This made me laugh. I work in this industry and I have never figured out why people are so stupid that they buy insurance. I would understand if it was for a non profit organisation.

People belive everything when they are stupid and uneducated (like most of americans)

[Peachypadgett]

@blomstersenter you must be a heartless bastard... but its your kharma so GL with that. people either get insurance from their job or buy it themselves cause there hasn't been any another choice.Who has half a million laying around for new livers? so ya pay the premiums and hope they let ya live when the if the Paybacks get serious... Oh and news flash its gona be a Requirement, yay reform +_+

[Wolfiemouse]

Profit, in the light of morality can not be the priority, when dealing with those in need ... those who are sick, and dying.

With the profit motive for the health care industry at the pinnacle of what is most important in our nation, the people, American citizens and all other human life, will continue to suffer, and die, in pain and emotionally alone with their very real physical, and mental issues.

Not for profit, single payer, and pro-life for all life is the only civilized way.

[aiden00]

and for the families ..and the innocent lives who are getting assed out by our beloved countrymen up in the corporate ladder...i bet if theyre poodle had lymphoma..theyd give arm n leg to save the damn thing..-__-

[funkyflights]

@aiden00

True.... IF IT was one of there loved ones there would NEVER be a denial .... Truly sad for America ... THIS happens more than we realize ..

[aiden00]

you wanted to privitize everything..banking..look where that got us, military...that too..and healthcare...its in your job description to provide for the sick...the money u generate should benefit the sick...you sick bastards..not make your wallets fatter, ur an insurance company, ensure our lives, if its business your looking for...open up a firm for something else...you have no b usiness being in healthcare...you have no say and have no idea what your doing. i moarn for nataline's family

[aiden00]

@aiden00 you sick sons a bitches...you sick bastards...its ok god has to exist..because there is tooo much hell to pay in our world today...to these big companys and conglomerates and corrupt acts happening globaly, daily...god wil ream these people so hard itll rain their asses in the next lifetime

[GuinnevereB]

Most of us would choose to keep our paychecks coming even if deep down we knew that we served a company that does reprehensible, even murderous things. We blind ourselves to what is right when our self interest is involved. It makes cowards of otherwise decent people.

Mr. Wendell Potter had the courage to quit a company that dares to set itself up as judge of who is "worthy" to live, based solely on wealth or lack of it. CIGNA's apologies to the Sarkisyan family sound insincere; his ring true.

[699backstab]

find Wendell Potter and take him to an empty farm house. 3 months later he leaves, unable to communicate, walk or control his fear. His mind has been destroyed by an endless barrage of "reprogramming" Stop being fucking cowards, learn to handle your business properly. This family must have wanted their kid to die because they didnt do what was nessessary

[bencombs1990]

seriously? you just fucking thought that out and typed it? hell is not hot enough for a piece of shit like you, my dad had two of his fingers cut off at work and we have a huge medical bill, do know what its like to get fucked over by a insurance company? you sure need need to be.

[699backstab]

@bencombs1990 Stupid faggot. Reread my post. I am saying they should have tortured the insurance scum until he broke. The reason you didnt understand is because you are an american teen with no brain, no critical thinking skills and no hope for changing that. Dipshit

[chrismychi]

conservatives think this is no problem, they figure if ur not wealthy, go die

[MrYoubrian]

Cigna said the same thing the republicans have been saying pretty much......

She was "worth " something, but just not that much......

They put a price on her life.

And 17,000 Americans lose their health care EACH month.

54,000,000 Americans without health care.

Republicans say health care reform "Will cost to much."

[torkelson100]

@luggruff fire up s supercomputer and try to find the US somewhere along the list.. Pathetic country... My response: Fire up your supercomputer and see if any other country even comes close to the number of immigration hopefuls that the US has.

[torkelson100]

Here's a kamikaze congressman's thought process. If we can just get universal health care passed the people will like it. It will be like Medicare where no candidate who wants to abolish it can win. And then in the end we will be the heroes. But just because the people will like it doesnt mean its a good thing. Its like someone putting you on cocaine. When youre on it you like it and dont want to give it up. It's easy to get on it (socialism & drugs) but very hard to get off it.

[luggruff]

LOL! Lining up Socialism beside Drugs (you mean recreational use of drugs right, not simly drugs?)? Get a clue. Please name the top 3 countries in the world to live in. Now name the top 3 richest countries in the world. Now fire up s supercomputer and try to find the US somewhere along the list.. Pathetic country, when whole states are risking to be liquidated as the result of how much of your tax-money being used on war, each day? You could have used that & on feeding the world for a decade..

[BitterrootJournal]

In this country, only the wealthy get what they need. Screw the poor people. I'm so tired of people being punished because of their station in life. EVERYONE deserves a chance to live, everyone deserves healthcare. F these insurance companies and the self entitled rich people who think they are the only ones who should have it all.

[WEENIE666]

did u notice now a days how CEO's are protected like kings? can u really ever get to a CEO of a large company? speaking about healthcare, this is what its going to come down to, if my daughters sick, in need of a transplant, and you deny me? i will go home and get my gun and hold u motherf*ckers hostage until you do it, once this starts happening i think people may listen!

[torkelson100]

@WEENIE666 If your daughter is sick in need of transplant the government will pick up the tab if you do not have the money. This has been true for 40 some years now since Medicade became law in the late 60's. Too many Americans do not know this but it is true.

[frederickus]

@torkelson100 ...and you can't even SPELL "Medicaid"!!!

[torkelson100]

@frederickus Thanks for the correction. I should have caught that.

[torkelson100]

@WEENIE666 People in high demand whether they be Michael Moore or the CEO of a large company have always been hard to reach for the average person. It just is not physically possible for them. Time constraints force them to prioritize their appointments.

[runarmyof1]

i saw this on tv and after watching it had to find it on here so i can show people. I cannot believe wendell potter was moved to tears! it is comforting to know there are still people with a heart out there. Wendell potter has always been a hero of mine but this just absolutely moves me.

[Johansen1000]

it's so sad to see..

[KhyronDesintegrado]

I just can not believe that a country like United States is soo behind on health care system!

[torkelson100]

We have the best health care system in the world. The Mayo Clinic serves more foreign dignitaries than any other hospital in the world. Europe has gone way behind in health care and they are trying to make us ashamed of our best health care system in the world. When you do things right you will alway get it on cheek from someone. Truth trumps peer pressure.

[GuinnevereB]

@torkelson100

You SHOULD be ashamed that this country puts wealth above humanity. You brag that "The Mayo Clinic serves more foreign dignitaries..." but an ordinary person like Nataline was not considered to be "worth the expense." Why? Only money. CIGNA wanted to make a profit and she was taking "their" money with her efforts to go on living. So they denied and delayed until she died from neglect. They put money ahead of her life. How despicable that is. Any decent person should be ashamed.

[KhyronDesintegrado]

Well according to Michael Moore's movie SICKO United States is number 34 in the list of Health Care systems.

France, and Inglan, I think are between the 10 first

[chakravidya]

Grate video. Let fite this bastards together.

[MishuTaste]

There's two points I want to make, and if you disagree, that's fine.

1) "Teabaggers" and others who are opposed to federal government health care programs are not the enemies of those who want a federal government health care program. They just have a different idea about the role of the federal government.

2) I'm not completely against health care that is sponsored by taxes, however, I am against income taxes and property taxes. I think both should be illegal...

[MishuTaste]

I believe that many problems, such as the lack of health care for low income Americans,  can be solved at the state level. I propose that state governments can have a 1% sales tax for health clinics that provide free health care for low income residents. Also: the tax could be used to "bail out" hospitals that provide emergency care for those who can't afford it. For those of you who want universal health care: you cannot complain about the increased deductions from your paychecks. This is a...

[MishuTaste]

There is a price to pay for universal health care. It's not free. Those that are still employed will have to pay for it. And any business that is still profitable will also have to pay for it. I'm not here to argue about whether someone's right or wrong. I'm asking you really think about what you want and if you're willing to experience the consequences of it.

[PatchesRips]

"There is a price to pay for universal health care."

It's called taxes. What do you want to get for yours? Another supercarrier with stealth microwave ovens and atomic bedsheets, or guaranteed health care that won't cost you your home and savings?

[MishuTaste]

Here's the problem I have with the income tax: it gives corrupt politicians control over how much money I can spend. They can continue to waste money on whatever pet project they can dream up and pass the costs to me. The spending is out of control. I believe the health care issue should be decided at the state level. I feel that those who believe in income tax should live in a state that will increase their income taxes to provide universal health care. I believe in freedom of choice!

[PatchesRips]

"I feel that those who believe in income tax should live in a state that will increase their income taxes to provide universal health care. I believe in freedom of choice!"

Are you going to pay for them to do so if they don't have the means? If not, so much for freedom of "choice". Note that these people who couldn't afford to relocate are almost certainly the same people who can't afford private health insurance to begin with. Pat answers are not solutions. They're barroom bromides.

[MishuTaste]

I want the federal government to get its revenue from excise taxes and import taxes. We Americans buy enough stuff from foreign countries to provide a decent income tax for the federal government. What I want in return is a military that protects the borders, a justice system that still believes in due process and individual rights, a sound currency, a decent postal system, and a few other things. State governments can get more direct revenue if there was no federal income tax divided up...

[MishuTaste]

...by Congress. State governments can do a lot to solve health care problems. For example: they can revoke the business licenses from health insurance companies that deny coverage. They can subsidize hospitals that provide care for low income/no income patients. Free up the income tax, tax what people buy, and you will have enough state tax revenue to take care of the poor. Also: why is it that I can buy auto insurance from another state but I can't do the same w/ health insurance?

[MishuTaste]

State governments can also establish laws for the business practices of insurance companies: either they pay for your medical costs or they can pack up and leave. And the insurance commissioner of each state can enforce such laws & give out fines to those companies who deny payments. Just make sure you vote for someone who isn't sponsored by a health insurance company.

[PatchesRips]

"either they pay for your medical costs or they can pack up and leave"

And how is a state going to decide what's a justified medical expense and what isn't? How much of the courts' time to you propose to take up with case after case after case of penny-pinching litigation? What will that do to the cost of health insurance premiums on the one hand, and taxes to pay for the huge, needless overhead this implies on the other?

[luggruff]

..because you can't buy gas for your health insurance in another state? LOL!

[PatchesRips]

"For example: they can revoke the business licenses from health insurance companies that deny coverage."

How? Most corporations are registered in a particular state (often Delaware); they have the right to equal treatment anywhere in the country. Which state is going to be responsible for looking after this?

"I can't do the same w/ health insurance?"

Dunno. It's not a problem in a national universal health care system.

[PatchesRips]

"I want the federal government to get its revenue from excise taxes and import taxes."

How are these not "control over how much money I spend", while income tax is?

"What I want in return is..."

Then what difference does it make if the dollar to pay for what you want comes out of your left pocket or your right one? Seriously.

[runarmyof1]

@MishuTaste 100% of the income tax that you pay goes directly to the fedeal reserve to pay off the interest owed by the government. In other words, bankers get rich... you get nothing. Please investigate brother, because you will be surprised to see what's really going on. Youtube seach "What is a central Bank" and "Zeitgeist"

[Intransitman]

@MishuTaste Teabaggers are underminding them selves in the long run.

[HUMANTORCH38]

michael moore needs more supporters because he has definitely have my support

[edmondov]

If I was in that girls situation, I rather be dead then constantly be treated in hopes of being able to survive multiple transplants. I will simply accept the fact I am not fit to survive.

[MishuTaste]

You can't say for sure what you'll accept because no doctor has told you that you have a few weeks to live.

[llothar68]

As a popular german newspager said:

The USA is totally unable to make even the most necessary reforms. Thats why the empire is going down.

Never seen such a retard folk. You changed nothing since the days of Mc Carthy.

[WindHarps]

Thank you for sharing this wholly moving video with all of us. May it be seen (and felt) far and wide ~

[rickamabob13]

Let us pray for more Wendell Potter's from all of the insurance companies.

[Valleynews]

I admire the Sarkisyan family's strength in working towards health care reform.

[mancrushonhanksnow]

Holy fuck, Mike, warn us first! I was fixing to bawl by the time this video ended.

Don't count on meaningful healthcare reform, though.  The Supreme Court has sold Congress to private companies buying Congressmen under the banner of "free speech." More like bribery, if you ask me. I've said it before and I'll say it again: This country is FUCKED.

[chibicat13]

It disgusts me how the right-wingers want to defend a system that allows insurance companies to kill people.

Why is it that America, a industrialized nation, won't look after it's people and provide universal healthcare.

Canada is able to do it.

[zacky89]

@chibicat13

isnt that crazy how

the right wingers ironically

states that in "Obama-care"

that there is going to become a

bureacrat between you and your doctor.

except thats what they do all the time

the insurance companies.

[llothar68]

@chibicat13

They are not an industrialzed nation anymore. They have choosen to switch there industries for more financial traitors.

And there stupid tea baggers are a proof that they don't learn.

[treid100182]

thank God for Wendell seeing the Light.