Daily News Updates - Health Insurance News

Health Insurance Empire Strikes Back, Pt.4 – Grass-roots land bases.

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The health insurance industry is trying to shake their image in Washington as “a faceless, profit-driven industry,” as Mr. Frates notes. By building ‘grass-roots’ support, they look to gain favor with lawmakers to build a better appreciation for what they offer our citizens in health insurance. So, on with the ‘listening tour. The ‘good will tour’ of ‘unscripted roundtables’ is scheduled to include dozens of places like Albuquerque, Denver, Boston and New York. Participants will include players like 'union members, working families, faith and community leaders, small-business owners and employees,” Mr. Tuffin informs us. These will be platforms where gets to interact and learn of the health insurance wants, needs and ideas of their prospective supporters.

Meanwhile, officials of the group are meeting with leaders in health care about their plans in executing this campaign. One such entity is Donna Shalala. Ms. Shalala is a leading figure who, at one time acted as Secretary of Health and Human Services. She was amicable and her review was favorable. She commented on her take by saying “The [health] industry’s efforts and others are crucial, to push health [insurance/]care reform to the forefront of the presidential debate so that it becomes a top priority for the next administration.” She notes that these people have chosen this avenue as a gesture, not an escape. There is much good to be gained by this learning experience. “They want to get a feel for how the public is feeling out there,” she summarizes. Volunteer organizations are being formed in, as many as, 20 states. These organizations will work with local leaders and will be set up by the field staffers.

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