What’s going on in Maine?
October 9, 2009admin No Comments »
I didn’t think any other state had more problems than California, but at the moment, Maine is one hot mess.
First, you have Senator Olympia Snowe. Senator Snowe is representing a state that has an unemployment rate of 8.6%. A state that is dominated by one of the largest insurance corporations, Anthem Blue Cross. A state that has some of the highest premiums in the country. Premiums which are rising almost four times as fast as wages, leaving the remaining costs to be paid for by small business owners. At the moment Senator Snowe is regarded as one of the most powerful female politicians.
So what is Senator Snowe doing for the small business owners left with the outrageous medical costs in her state? She’s in DC waiting for the the captain of the football team to ask her to the prom. She’s negotiating with President Obama for her version of “trigger” health care. According to The Huffington Post, Obama, GOP’s Snowe Working On Health Care Reform Compromise
The precise details have yet to be worked out, but the general idea is to give the insurance industry a fixed time to show that it can stem rising medical costs. If the private carriers fail, the government-run plan would be created under a “trigger.” The approach could be tailored so that the government plan is used only in areas of the country where one or two private insurers control the market and have failed to bring down costs.
Absolutely worthless and transparent. Instead of standing with most of her constituents who want a public option, she is still on the side of the insurance corporations. To the state of Maine I know how you feel about being let down by your elected official. Senator Dianne Feinstein isn’t my favorite senator at the moment either.
Second, Anthem Blue Cross, one of the largest corporations in the country, is suing the state of Maine because they didn’t make enough money to satisfy their stockholders. Yes, a corporation is suing an entire state. According to The Wonk Room, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield are
suing the state after Maine’s Superintendent of Insurance denied Anthem a rate increase that would have required Maine residents to pay an “additional $12 million in annual premiums for the same level of benefits.”
The entire post can be read The Wonk Room. However film maker Robert Greenwald of Brave New Films captures it best with his short Sick For Profit.
I am stunned and appalled of the sheer greed of Anthem Blue Cross. Wow!
I know I’m Californian and shouldn’t but my nose in other states business, but as an Athem Blue Cross member I do feel for my fellow Americans and their hardship in trying to pay for their expensive premiums.
I did become a fan of Senator Snowe on Facebook (just so I could write on her wall) and notified her of Anthem Blue Cross suing the state of Maine.
I also emailed the Superintendent of Maine, Mila Kofman and thanked her for denying Anthem the rate increase. I urge you to as well. Bureau of Insurance
Thanks for reading!
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