here's Elizabeth Warren 7 mos ago questioning United Health CEO (Andrew Witty)

[IcyPeas]

These CEOs know damn well what they are doing. How the fu*k is this allowed???? fu*k them. Why are we so helpless against them?

I kind of wish this assassination had happened before the election. Would it have made a difference? I don't know but it would've brought this discussion that we're all having now to to the forefront when everyone was paying attention.

Also a NY Times video from a year ago about "prior authorization".

[malaise]

1. Get thee to the greatest page

Fuck these fucking thieves

[CrispyQ]

2. Outstanding! Thank you, Senator Warren!

Now, can someone explain to me how upcoding helps the insurance co? I can see how it hurts the patient, putting a medical condition that they don't really have on their record but how does the company benefit?

[Bluepinky]

11. The company will be reimbursed more for more serious medical conditions.

The government pays the insurance company for each of their Medicare Advantage patients out of taxpayer Medicare funds. A certain amount is allotted for each patient on Medicare. And sicker patients with more medical needs are reimbursed more than a healthy patient with fewer medical needs. So the insurance company will get more money from the government by “upcoding” diagnosis codes for the patients on their plan, to make it appear that the patient is sicker than they actually are.

[Bettie]

3. Both good videos

and the Warren one reminded me how slick and slimy corporate guys are.

[Baitball Blogger]

4. She is a jewel.

[Clouds Passing]

5. Thank you Senator Warren!

Witty thinks he’s witty but instead he’s shitty.

Is that Susan Collins next to sen Warren giving her the stink-eye?

[Upthevibe]

6. IcyPeas..........

Thanks for the post.....

[byronius]

7. Morally horrifying.

[dalton99a]

8. NYT comments today:

NYT comments

DJ35
Brooklyn 2m ago

I can see how the frustration experienced by Americans with the health insurance industry could push an unstable person in pain over the edge. I've had numerous issues with health insurers over the years. Recently, after attempting to work within the complaint system for 6 months about a denial that I had received pre-approval on, I emailed the CEO of a major insurer. No reply. Emailed again. No reply. And I am a retiree of that company. I've given up on 3 different insurance disputes over the past 2 years, and I know I am not alone. Imagine how an unstable person would feel.

---

Lyndyb
Lewes, DE 4m ago

I do not agree with or condone killing someone to create awareness, prove a point or enact what they think is justice. This young man has not only taken a life, but has ruined his own - and he is no hero in my mind.

I will admit that when I did a little research, I was a bit shocked to see that United Health Group made a $22 billion dollar PROFIT in 2023. I worked for a P&C insurance company and I understand the need for healthy profits for come what may, but $22 billion seems obscene.

---

Greg
LA 16m ago

Where are the op-eds about the profoundly negative impacts an unchecked for-profit health insurance industry has on our society?

Greed is killing us all, there is no accountability, and anger is justified.

---

Kumar
NY 16m ago

Killing of any one is not acceptable. However, insurance company executives have been killing average people by denying necessary medical care. That killing is legal, allowed by our Congress, paid by lobbyist.

---

Don Langrehr
Blacksburg 39m ago

Public relations firms are making a mint - paid for by our skyrocketing premiums- to craft sophistic responses to the deluge of negative publicity well earned by the health care greed industry.

[erronis]

9. thanks for posting these, icyPeas.

I thank some fairy in our HR department when I turned 65 who warned me about the "Advantage" plans- and to get a supplemental. That was more than 10 years ago before these rapacious insurance companies really started their massive theft of our health and our money.

[Lulu KC]

10. I hadn't heard Elizabeth Warren's voice since the DNC

Damn, she's good. So grateful she's still in the Senate. I've missed her.

[liberalla]

12. Elizabeth Warren is fabulous of course, but that 2nd video was excellent to

explain the problem with "prior authorization", but also to help people FEEL the pain, cruelty and injustice of how it is used against patients and for insurance companies.

[Skittles]

13. PROFITING BY DENYING HEALTHCARE SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWD

IT IS FUCKING OBSCENE AND UNCIVILIZED