Reform Focus Turns to Health Insurance Industry

Reform Focus Turns to Health Insurance Industry in Politics and Legislation

Until recently, Washington has been fairly gloves-on with the health insurance industry, who has taken a conciliatory position with the upcoming health reform bill. But that is shifting.

Last week, President Obama derided the industry for “windfall profits.”  And House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called them “villains.” And even more notable, the term ‘health insurance reform’ has lately supplanted ‘health care reform.’

“Attacking our community will not help get anyone covered,” defended Karen M. Ignagni, the industry’s chief lobbyist. Ignani personally pledged to the president last March that insurers would not stand in the way of a health care overhaul this time.

Fifteen years ago, the health insurance lobby launched the Harry and Louise ads that helped unravel reform efforts. But this time around, the industry’s ad campaign strikes a much more positive note, saying simply: “Let’s fix health care.” Cynics have denounced this friendlier approach as a ploy, dubbing it “the charm offensive.”

But true to her tactics, Ignani emphasized yesterday that there were no plans to alter the industry’s stance of partnership. She also denied that the insurance industry has helped fund or organize groups that have been protesting at town hall meetings about health care reform. "That's not us," she said. "We have our hands full."

Let’s hope this alliance stays intact. While the insurers may or may not be extending good will as a strategy, passing any kind of reform without their support will be a lot harder, something this fragile process doesn’t need.

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