Live Chat: Blue America Welcomes Roxanne Conlin, IA-Senate
Wednesday the House voted overwhelmingly to abolish the exemption the health insurance monopolies have been enjoying from antitrust laws. I spoke to half a dozen candidates running for House seats from around the country, all of whom were very enthusiastic about the action (as you can see at the link above). Today an old Blue America friend, Rep. John Hall, sent us a statement reminding us that he's been talking about doing just this since last summer.
Finally, the House of Representatives has repealed the anti-trust exemption for the health insurance industry. I have been talking about this since last August, when it elicited applause from progressives and conservatives alike in my health care town hall meetings. I have spoken forcefully in our caucus about the insanity of allowing monopolistic practices, price-fixing, collusion and consolidation by corporations which are gouging the consumer with skyrocketing insurance premiums, shrinking coverage, underpaying of doctors, and refusing coverage to Americans with pre-existing conditions.
Today, we finally got a debate and a vote on this first, clear issue pertaining to health care reform. Competition is key in driving down costs for families and small businesses. Monopolies kill competition. I have not heard a credible reason for health insurance companies to have such protection. It is especially obvious when Anthem Blue Cross just proposed a premium hike of 39% for one year, while simultaneously posting record profits and dropping millions more from coverage. I have heard from many of you who have experienced similar hikes from your insurance companies.
Enough is enough. I co-sponsored the legislation that passed by a bipartisan vote of 406-19. Republican Representatives argued strenuously against the bill, then flip-flopped and voted for it. I guess they didn't want to face the voters after casting a vote to protect an industry that clearly does not need protection.
By chance I also happened to be on the phone with Roxanne Conlin, a progressive Democrat running for the Iowa Senate seat currently occupied by anti-health-care fanatic Chuck Grassley. Roxanne is an attorney who "has devoted her law practice in Des Moines, Iowa to representing people who have been injured by others, whether by discrimination, products, doctors or vehicles and has gained national attention and the respect of her peers in the process." She knows quite a lot about why repealing the McCarran-Ferguson Act will be a tremendous boost for the whole cause of health care reform. John and I have invited her to C&L today (at noon, PT) to talk about this issue as the bill moves on to the Senate, the body she is aspiring to be part of. Meet us-- and Roxanne-- in the comments section.
Roxanne, welcome to Crooks and Liars. We're happy to see Chuck Grassley getting his first-ever realy run for his (or Big Business') money! Can you start off by explaining the House bill that passed this week and how it would impact regular Americans dealing with health insurance issues?
Before I jump right in, I want to thank you for allowing me to join you today. It is a pleasure to be here.
HR 4626 repeals the unfair antitrust exemption that health insurance companies have benefitted from since 1945. There are only two industries that do not have to follow competition law in the United States; health insurance and baseball. I'm not overly concerned about baseball, but the insurance exemption has allowed health insurance companies to operate without competing with one another.
In most states there is only one or two insurance provider for the entire population. The repeal of this unfair exemption and the increase in competitive markets will bring capitalism to the insurance industry for the first time. It will reduce prices to American families saddled with burdensome premium costs, improve the quality of care, increase innovation, and provide more choices for consumers.
Health care costs are the leading cause of individual bankruptcies. This is wrong and it's up to the Senate to pass this bill.
In addition, the repeal will allow the the Department of Justice and the FTC to investigate any claims of collusion and to enforce the requirements that companies compete rather than conspire.
For 65 years we have allowed health insurance companies to create an unfair market that has hurt consumers. I'm not as concerned with Derek Jeter's salary as I am with making sure my friends and neighbors in Iowa have access to quality, affordable health care.
I sincerely hope the Senate will move on this important legislation quickly.
it represents the first genuine act of reform that has taken place. Now the challenge is to get it through the corporately owned and operated senate.
you would think true conservatives would support a bill that introduces competition to the marketplace. They pretend to love competition, but with lobbyists running the show in DC and filling campaign coffers, it's easy to see why nothing has gotten done. Families need the strongest possible voice in the US Senate to overcome the resistance to this fair competition legislation.
Hello,
The original point of the laws prohibiting insurance sales across state lines was that each state has it's own laws governing insurance, thus protecting each state from having to recognize the laws of another.
With the exemption rescinded, whose rules will each state follow now? Will the federal government set one set of universal rules regulating health insurance, or will they be allowed to pick the "territory" with the most favorable rules to them... such as The Marianas Islands?
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
Anti-trust laws are federal and are different from state laws regulating rates, coverage and the like. What anti-trust laws require is that companies not fix prices and that they compete with one another to benefit the consumer. This is required of every other industry (except baseball) and it is what we rely on as a society to keep prices as low as possible and encourage innovation. Competition apply everywhere probably even the Mariana Islands.
Good luck with your campaign. We need more people such as yourself to get these other self serving idiots out of office.
"Let's talk dirty to the animals"
I hope you'll share your kind words with all your friends.
We've seen the House passing a whole slew of decent legislation-- like this bill-- this year only to watch it die in the Senate. Is there a solution (short of just abolishing the Senate altogether, which would probably not be too easy)?
Howie,
Abolishing the Senate would leave a lot of lonely insurance lobbyists!
Sen. Leahy has called on Reid to bring this directly to the floor and I call on all of you to email your senators (no matter how conservative your senator may be) to support this legislation because capitalism only works if everybody follows the rules.
In my opinion the insurance industry is out of control because they have not had to follow the rules.
Is there any reason why Grassley ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS seems to take the side of the Insurance Industry over the needs of ordinary Iowa families/ Who does he think he is, Ben Nelson? It looks like the Insurance lobbyists are planning to kill HR 4626 in the Senate with Grassley's help. Is this too inside baseball for Iowa voters to understand and take into account when they vote?
Iowa voters are generally pretty tuned in, even to inside baseball. In over past two months I've been to 51 of our 99 counties and health care is always the first issue that comes up. Grassley has done absolutely nothing to fix a system that everyone recognizes is broken. He has ignored the needs of Iowa families long enough. Iowa needs and deserves a senator who will stand up for them and not the insurance companies.
at the right time (puns included) is beyond belief.
"Let's talk dirty to the animals"
Living in Las Vegas, I am chilled to the bone that this admendment was pushed thru by our senator and of course our airport is named for him.
"Let's talk dirty to the animals"
Not everything that happens in Vegas stays in Vegas...
such as foreclosed homes and empty casinos. Reno has its share. Of course, having Zero for the governator has not helped one bit.
Arnie is not the only one.
"Let's talk dirty to the animals"
then it just so happens everything you do stays in Vegas. *AHEM*
BTW Nice to see another person who lived in Sioux City try and make a difference.
Goodnight, Frau Blücher
I know you've been viisting every county in Iowa-- and I know there are a TON of them (99?)-- and as long as we have you here, can you tell us what voters are telling you about the issues that will decide the Senate race between Grassley and yourself? What is going to motivate them to retire a long-time incumbent like him?
People are tired of his partisanship. People are fed up with career politicians saying one thing at home and doing another in DC.
This will be his first race with an opponent who can inspire the base, organize a campaign and raise money. This will also be the first time he's been on the ballot since Democrats took the voter registration lead in 2006. He's dropped 21 points in the polls in the last six months - and I haven't even started to expose his record, yet!
Iowans don't know for example that he wants to privatize Social Security, opposed equal pay for women, voted 5 times to give tax breaks to companies shipping US jobs overseas and doesn't think workers deserve a minimum wage. When they find out, he'll have plenty of time on the farm.
That's what we want to hear Roxanne! Can Iowa grassroots Democrats volunteer and help the campaign in any meaningful ways?
www.roxanneforiowa.com - sign up and please make a contribution.
He has not had a challenger with a pulse since I've been in Iowa. It has always seemed wrong that we have The Great Tom Harkin in the same body with that ignorant wingnut. Listening to him on health care is not good for my blood pressure.
i hope you are one of the lucky ones with health insurance that covers blood pressure medication.
Throughout this health insurance debate, tort reform has been dangled by the Democrats as a compromise they are all too willing to make - despite the fact that they are unlikely to receive Republican concessions of any kind.
Given that the "cost" reduction achieved is only about 1% and, as California and other states which have implemented tort reform have shown, tort reform is unlikely to significantly affect premiums, why are the Democrats so willing to throw horribly injured people under the bus so blithely?
And what can we do about it?
Corruption favors the wealthy.
I'm not willing to throw injured patients under the bus. And I would fight it with all my might. There are however things that we can do to reduce medical malpractice insurance rates and enhance patient safety that I would take the lead on.
Have reporting systems that help medical associations identify members who need help or should not be licensed. It works for the bar associations. There are a very few doctors who are responsible for a large percentage of malpractice claims.
Yes. I agree. I know that's true and it's one way to really improve patient safety.
malpractice premiums? Take private insurance out of the equation and let doctors pool their money to cover law suits? Change the standards of proper medical care and procedures to encompass all localities and not just what an individual community has to put up with? Thus not allowing the those usually committing the malpractice to define the term? I have more. I am sure you do, too.
I have some more as well!
Just a note that here in Texas, they put Tort Reform on the 2007 ballot. Gov. Perry and his buddies pushed hard for the bill, spending millions on TV advertising telling us how a "$5 million dollar cap on judgments" would "save millions" and "lower heath care costs".
The result? Not only did it do nothing to lower heath care costs, but more people are uninsured today than were in 2007... compounded by people now having their compensation... be they 70 or 7... limited to just $5 million dollars for a lifetime of medical care.
Tort Reform as a method to reduce costs and increase coverage is a total LIE. And there are a half dozen states we can point to to prove it.
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
And thank you for taking the time to join us today.
I see someone has already asked you about healthcare.
I'm late to this, so I have to ask, Are you for the public option or are you for single payer?
Also, How would you go about addressing a supposed shortfall to Social Security?
What is your conceptual, continuity?
to get too far into details however, I support a vigorous public option which will also enhance competition as will the bill abolish McCarran-Ferguson.
*
What is your conceptual, continuity?
~
Corruption favors the wealthy.
But I am curious as to the definition of a "vigorous public option"
What is your conceptual, continuity?
one that offers everyone the opportunity to participate and doesn't just select people who meet certain qualifications for starters.
Because the insurance companies wouldn't allow it?
I like it.
I'd like to see single payer. I go to the VA. I'd like to see that system in place for everyone. I also think that medical schooling should be grants. Therefore lowering the debt our young Dr's are faced with coming out of school. After say, 5-10 years they can go out and make what ever their hearts desire. But for the first 5-10 years, they should repay the tax payers for the Med Ed by practicing for the govt at state run hospitals and clinics.
I have some friends who are Dr's. They are so far in the hole, it's going to take at least10-15 years for them to break even. I think we should find a better way to make this whole thing work.
What is your conceptual, continuity?
:)
Corruption favors the wealthy.
I was editing when you posted fiver.
What is your conceptual, continuity?
I thought my reply would block your edit (not that that's what I'd intended).
Anyway,
Yeah.
:)
Corruption favors the wealthy.
.
What is your conceptual, continuity?
Anybody who can give that corrupt old buzzard Grassley a run for the money has my support. Good luck. Speak the truth, name the game.
My greatest fear with the way Republicans have been steering the health care debate is that we will be left with a "solution" that forces everyone to purchase insurance from a private corporation with all of its powers to deny claims to protect profits, while only people "that can't get insurance any other way" will be allowed to participate in any "public option". So not only do we end up giving the industry millions of new customers with NO threat of losing them to a Public Option, they can then dump the most costly patients on the government.
Will you work to help prevent something like this scenario (which is almost precisely the plan the president describes) from happening?
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
All i can do now is speak out and encourage others to do the same. When I'm in the Senate, I will represent the interests of people not insurance companies. As it happens, the industry giving Grassley the most money is health care followed closely by insurance. And if they are reading this blog today, I'm sure I'm helping him raise lots more money!
have taken up reading Howie's writing, it is only as a cure for dangerously low blood pressure. But I hope your interaction on line will help people get to know you well enough to want to help fund your campaign.
Would you be willing to come back here for another discussion after you go on record with actual votes?
What is your conceptual, continuity?
I love live-blogging. And I will continue to do it after I'm elected.
I look forward to your next visit Madame Senator.:)
What is your conceptual, continuity?
on your 99 county tour. I look forward to meeting you if I'm in the state then.
I'm going to be in Mason City tonight at 8pm at Borealis! I hope you'll come
with Mark Daley and have gotten some email from your campaign, so I think so. Probably won't be there tonight.
Trent Franks, a crazy Grassley-like congressman from Arizona, just claimed African-Americans were better off as slaves. It must be really insane to have to work with these sociopaths and psychotics.
I sincerely hope he misspoke... As a mother of 4 and grandmother of 5, I'm qualified to provide adult supervision in DC.
and your campaign.
And it's nice to see that your state didn't get destroyed in fire and brimstone after approving gay marriage. I hope that's still working out there. It restrengthened my faith in the midwest.
have managed to stave off efforts to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot. The wingers are going after more seats. Desmoinesdem at Bleeding Heartland keeps up with this stuff pretty well if you're interested.
I was proud to sign an Amicus brief in support of same-sex marriage in the Varnum case because I have been married to my husband, James, for 46 years. I cannot imagine what my life would have been without him and I believe everyone deserves the same rights and responsibilities we enjoy. I'm also proud to have been endorsed by eQualitygiving.org today!
I love blogging. Please let me come back soon. I'm going to hit the road for some events tonight so I must sign off for now. Thank you for your thoughtful questions and fun dialogue.
http://www.RoxanneForIowa.com
http://www.twitter.com/RoxanneConlin
We will invite you back for sure!
Best of luck.
Corruption favors the wealthy.
While I am greatly in favor of repealing the insurance industry anti-trust exemption, I think it needs to be done in tandem with implementing more regulation on the industry. The last thing we need is to trade overpriced monopolies for race to the bottom price wars between insurers. I really don't want a health care system that resembles the airline industry, with paitents being herded like cattle and being charged special fees for everything but air. What can be done to ensure that along with bringing costs down, quality of coverage can be kept up?
I think we've got a live one this time. Of course I have a long and illustrious history of backing brilliant losers, beginning with Mo Udall, but hope springs eternal. Given the anti-incumbent climate, and her energy and political experience, Chuck has his work cut out for him.
There's still the primary to get through. A local radio station is running a poll on that.
"blues"
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