Waxman Opening another Front in Healthcare Debate?

[Guest guest]

I think this is relevant to IEQuality because the insurance industry plays

such a significant role in IAQ issues.

_http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/8/19/769486/-Waxman-Opening-another-Fron

t-in-Healthcare-Debate_

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Waxman Opening another Front in Healthcare Debate?

by _mcjoan_ (http://mcjoan.dailykos.com/)

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Wed Aug 19, 2009 at 05:30:05 PM PDT

Keep your eye on _this story_

(http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/08/18/us/politics/AP-US-Health-Care-Insure\

rs.html) , because it could give Dems

some good ammunition for the public option:

Democrats on a House committee are seeking detailed financial records from

dozens of large insurance companies, officials disclosed Tuesday, part of

an investigation into ''executive compensation and other business

practices'' in an industry opposed to President Barack Obama's plan to overhaul

health care.

The request included records relating to compensation of highly paid

employees, documents relating to companies' premium income and claims payments,

and information on expenses stemming from any event held outside company

facilities in the past 2 1/2 years.

Marcy has _more_

(http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2009/08/19/oh-yes-the-henry-waxman-we-know-an\

d-love/) :

He's asking for the following by September 4:

* A table listing the total compensation for every employee making

more than $500,000 a year

* A table listing board member compensation

* A table listing off-site conferences and retreats

* A table listing the company's total revenue and net income

And the following by September 14:

* Communication with the board on compensation packages

* Tables listing premium revenue, claims payments, and sales

expenses

And here's the _list of insurance companies_

(http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090819/List_Insurer_Letters.pdf)

mean old Henry is picking

on. In case you wondering, Mrs. Bayh's company, Wellpoint, is on that list.

I would imagine that after these details become public--just as the debate

between the House and Senate picks up--Evan Bayh might think a little

differently about how he represents the interests of--as Mrs. Greenspan calls

them--the conservative Democrats in Indiana. Likewise, once Waxman has the

details of the retreats that some of those obstructing reform have attended,

it may change their commitment to obstruction pretty quickly.

As Marcy says, that's the Waxman we know and love.

Exposing just how much of the premiums we pay is going to enrich the CEOs

of the companies, and to " other business practices " like the millions and

millions pored into fighting reform could help galvanize public support for

the public option. It could also draw that bright line around the key

question: is Congress going to vote for the American people, or the insurance

industry.

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