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Why are we even debating the need for health care reform?

08/14/2009 18:20:00 Kathlyn Stone

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There’s lots at stake as America battles itself over health care reform. One thing missing in all the framing by opponents is the truth. Another is perspective. It seems people need reminding that profiting off others' illnesses is not the same as profits made from the sales of cars, clothing or luxury items.

Through insurance premiums and *taxes, gullible Americans are paying for the $1 million-plus the insurance lobby spends a day on protecting their rights to huge profits. It certainly isn’t coming out of the insurance executives’ pockets. Execs like Aetna’s Ron Williams had a compensation package last year of over $24 million.

FierceHealthcare gathered 2008 data from the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission for its reports on the top 10 highest health plan CEO compensation packages.

What fine fellows (and one lady) they are, drawing multi-million dollar salaries and perks while denying our fellow Americans health care.

1. Ron Williams, Aetna - $24.3 million

2. H. Edward Hanway, CIGNA - $12.3 million

3. Angela Braly, WellPoint - $9.8 million

4. Dale Wolf, Coventry Health Care - $9 million

5. Michael Neidorff, Centene - $8.8 million

6. James Carlson, AMERIGROUP - $4.8 million

7. Michael McCallister, Humana - $4.4 million

8. Jay Gellert, Health Net - $3.5 million

9. Richard Barasch, Universal American - $3.5 million

10. Stephen Hemsley, UnitedHealth Group - $3.2 million

The CEOs enjoy a range of other perks such as private jets, company car with a driver, in-office meals, free legal and financial planning services, life insurance benefits, security services, tax preparation services, housing allowances, and tax reimbursements.

*The 47 million or so people without health insurance go to the emergency departments for care. Unrecoverable costs are paid by state budgets (your taxes).

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Comments (3 posted):

Kat on 08/15/2009 06:58:09

New survey finds 12 million Americans denied coverage by insurance industry
http://tinyurl.com/r9kpvd

latop ram on 12/15/2009 03:35:52

I was elated by the Senate vote last night thinking we had finally overcome two of three major hurdles in passing genuine health care reform legislation. Then a friend said that passing the bill and any amendments from here on will still require 60 votes, not a simple majority of 51. Is this so? Does in fact the tail (any of the three "L's": Landreau/Lincoln/Lieberman) wag the Democratic dog? Must we end up with something that is neither fish nor fowl but dishwater to all? Someone, please tell me it isn't so!

smart lipo on 04/08/2010 23:17:13

I have lived without health insurance for the last 13 years. It has almost bankrupt my family more than once. Med-flight, for my son, cost $12,000.. Most were in small towns in New Hampshire, but even their small meeting houses were usually packed.

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Why are we even debating the need for health care reform?

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