Wendell Potter - Former Communications VP for CIGNA

[6468792]

I thought insurance was risk management ....not risk avoidance!!

[JonDavidson]

He is giving a speech to politicians, especially Democrats, who have been given millions by insurance companies. They are completely controlled by their donors. He might as well be speaking to the insurance companies themselves, because the politicians aren't there, as far as being free-acting people.

[DaiIyBuzz]

Insurance companies provide nothing and absorb billions. They only serve as an illusion of economic security.

As technology advances, and future generations live longer, there will be no latitude for profit in health care. Our economic future hinges on this issue, even more than recent studies reflect.

A single-payer system is the only way to ensure all Americans receive quality, affordable health care for decades to come. The only acceptable compromise in the interim is a public option.

[dlucas90]

What a long winded way of saying:

Now that "we" have bailed out the insurance / financial monopolies that paid for our elections, we need to form a government insurance system big enough to compete with our buddies "we" just bailed out. That way the medical and pharmacy companies can continue to gouge the public, only this time from both ends.

[runarmyof1]

do you even know what your talking about?

[dlucas90]

What aspect of my comment don't you understand?

[tbaarr1]

@dlucas90 ah another repub con that thinks dereg is the way to go..hey how do you like this recesion your dereg ideas caused..or the recession of 1988 or the deepression your repunk boy coolidge caused in 1929..guess your too stupid to learn from history..your arguments are the same loser lies that were stated in the 60's when medicare was formed. hey loser its worked for 40 years. it just needed some tweaks as all plans do

[dlucas90]

@tbaarr1 I'm a conservative, but I am not a Republican. You obviously don't know how money comes into existence in the first place if you think one of the banker's sales teams, the Dems and Repubs, caused the depression that started in 1929. There is no way to "tweak" a inherently flawed monetary system. That is like saying "having the horses push the cart will work, it just needs some tweaking".

[tbaarr1]

@dlucas90 obviously you have no stinking clue.. coolidge let the banks run unregulated and lowered interest rates. just like raygun did in the 80's and bushpunk did in 2001-2008 and the results were exactly the same. depression recession ,big recession..as for obama care as you losers call it. a few good tweaks just like with medicare will fix the bad stuff..but then you will stay focused on your commie lib attack plan..just like your con boys of the 60's did

[tbaarr1]

@dlucas90 as for that statement your a con but not a repunk. who did you vote for in 2000 and 04 and 08..i bet it was bushpunk and mccain the charlie keating 5... 1986 lincoln saving bust boy

[dlucas90]

@tbaarr1 look here dummy, there is no "fair" way to create money from debt (nothing) and loan it to the govt. and public, at interest. Both "parties" have supported, and continue to support this cockamame arrangement. Don't call me a Repulican or a Democrat agian, because I'm niether, I'm an American and I follow what the constitution of the country says. I would like to "conserve" the constitution, that is all. If you want to play partisan bickering and pretend it is a debate, go elsewhere.

[MsWanderer1]

This is not capitalism, it's simply fraud and abuse. This is what our legislators are there to stop by making the laws that impose strong penalties for such behavior. A government single payer system that puts them out of business is also acceptable; the problem is how can we keep the fraud and corruption out of a government run health care system if we can't keep it out of a free market system?

[bberntson]

A problem is that corporate profit making is seen as the most protectable "right" in this country. If "greed is good" still then corporate infiltration into lawmaking won't change at all. And most of the shareholders in the "accountable to the shareholders" defense are not private investors but corporate entities themselves.

[maximouni]

So what he is talking about is what england and canada have. when it comes to public options. But Obama said we would not have england or canada health reform, I just read the summary on the new bill that was just released, They well take- away from medicare, there is no public option, but the middle class will be taxed , nickeled and dimed and fees for any extra equipment needed. already some senators won't sign. This is a bad bill all around.

[agilulfone]

Republican and other outspoken opponents of medical reform want to wipe out Medicare, Medicaid and even increase what people pay for limited medical insurance.

They want to destroy any reasonable form of affordable medical insurance and provide even greater long-term profits for insurance companies.

Theyre worried about profits, and they know that with no real reform, Medicare, Medicaid and low-cost medical insurance will be financially wiped out within the next generation.

[70road]

Insurance companies love medicare, why would they want to cover the old and sick.

[brentj30]

Wendell Potter just reeks with credibility!!!

The health insurance industry is dominated by only FOUR huge insurance company monopolies who care far more for maximizing profit than ensuring people get the health care they are paying high premiums for.

It is way past the time to fix this mess - a strong public option - not watered down with triggers and co-ops, is the answer.

[runarmyof1]

Call ur rep and demand unity among demecrats, a public option, and demand the anti-trust laws and regulations be applied to the health insurance industry just like EVERY other corporation has.

[ahuj89]

The insurance companies are still the enemy no matter if they want to completely steal from people or substantially steal from people, the only answer is a single-payer system.

Seriously, the Insurance Industry Profit Protection and Enhancement Act?! What the hell are you people smoking

[mintchocolatebear]

I'm a 29-year-old white man, and I used to work as an Analyst for Humana, a HEALTH INSURANCE company. I enjoyed my time as an employee and they treated me well. :-) Yes...I'm "the Man".

So, as a person who has seen it all from the inside, I only have to say this...

GO WENDELL POTTER!!

Put those greedy, soul-less jerks in their place. Capitalism does not mean stealing money from the people.

If we're not getting WHAT WE PAY FOR, then the business we're paying has STOLEN from us!!

[mabans]

A reasonable assessment, why wouldn't anyone else see that.

[pmagellan]

Thank you!

[bbbbmer]

Mr. Potter is a GREAT American!!!