White House invited med industry execs in early

[Robbien]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON — Administration officials began talking privately to major players in the health care industry within a few weeks of President Barack Obama's inauguration, a newly released list of White House visitors shows.

Obama on Wednesday night released the list of visits by health care executives after a government watchdog group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, announced it planned to sue to try to get White House visitor logs. Only names and dates were released, not the visitors' titles or employers.

The list shows that Richard Umbdenstock, president of the American Hospital Association, was at the White House on Feb. 4 and has been back at least a half-dozen times since then, most recently May 22. Other industry executives making February visits included health insurance company chief executives Angela Braly of WellPoint Inc. and Jay Gellert of Health Net Inc.

. . .

Other health care industry representatives named in the list and the dates they visited were:

_Registered lobbyist Billy Tauzin, a former Louisiana congressman who heads the drug industry lobby, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. He went to the White House on March 5, the day of a summit on health care, and again on May 11, 19, June 2 and June 24.

more . . . .

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j904hBjTq0B-AklYcG2sbK0d76dQD99K0OI80

[aquart]

1. I'm so surprised. Tauzin. Dear god.

[FrenchieCat]

2. Are we supposed to not have known this? Is this supposed to be "nefarious"?

Or are we supposed to "Knee jerk" that it was? Seems like it! :shrug:

White House Healthcare Summit: Obama Calls on All Sectors to Cut Costs
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John Commins, for HealthLeaders Media, March 5, 2009

About 150 people from the across the healthcare spectrum, as well as labor and business leaders, and Congressional Republicans and Democrats were called to the half-day summit.
snip
American Hospital Association President Richard J. Umbdenstock, who attended today's summit, said he told President Obama at last week's fiscal responsibility summit that the nation's hospitals will answer his call for "shared responsibility" as long as everybody else does too.

"We believe we have to be part of the solution, but so do vendors, suppliers, other providers, employers, and consumers themselves. It's not going to be solved by one approach or putting it on the shoulders of any one stakeholder," Umbdenstock told HealthLeaders Media.
http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/content/229280/topic/WS_HLM2_LED/White-House-Healthcare-Summit-Obama-Calls-on-All-Sectors-to-Cut-Costs.html

VP Biden and Umbdenstock
Vice President Joe Biden speaks about a White House deal with hospitals to help pay for President Barack Obama's overhaul of health care, Wednesday, July 8, 2009, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington. At right is Rich Umbdenstock, President of the American Hospital Association.





By AlterNet Staff, AlterNet. Posted March 5, 2009.

"This is a great start," said W.J. "Billy" Tauzin, a former House member from Louisiana who now runs the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), referring to Obama's health-care plan. "There are things we don't like about it. But there's time to discuss all that."

Obama's opening gambit to dramatically expand the health-care system has attracted surprising notes of support from insurers, hospitals and other players in the powerful medical lobby who are set to participate in an unusual White House summit on the issue this afternoon. The lure for the industry is the prospect of tens of millions of new customers: If Obama succeeds in fulfilling his pledge to cover many more Americans, those newly insured people will get checkups, purchase medicine, undergo physical therapy and get surgeries they cannot afford today.
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/130315/'disease_care'_industry_likes_obama's_approach_to_health_reform/

[Robbien]

3. It became "nefarious" when Obama copied Bush

by refusing to release WH visitor records.

If the visitor records were released, CREW wouldn't have had to threatened to sue and the story would not seemed so scurrilous.

[FrenchieCat]

4. Ooh.....Wow! The White House issues a press release on "secret meetings"!

(Guess the media thinks we are a bunch of imbeciles!)


For Immediate Release
May 11, 2009

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
ON REFORMING THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
TO REDUCE COSTS

State Dining Room

12:35 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everyone. All right. Well, I just concluded a extraordinarily productive meeting with organizations and associations that are going to be essential to the work of health care reform in this country -- groups that represent everyone from union members to insurance companies, from doctors and hospitals to pharmaceutical companies. It was a meeting that focused largely on one of the central challenges that we must confront as we seek to achieve comprehensive reform and lay a new foundation for our economy -- and that is, the spiraling cost of health care in this country.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-on-Reforming-the-Health-Care-System-to-Reduce-Costs/

[Robbien]

5. Again you are deliberatel;y missing the point.

You keep pointing to alternative articles that went nowhere in the MSM.

Today's story is a story because the WH was acting like Bush/Cheney by hiding the visitor records.

Also today's story is a story because unlike the impression given these meetings were numerous.

[FrenchieCat]

6. No, you are just drinking the MSM Koolaid, and they love you for it!

I don't give a shit if articles went nowhere with the MSM! That's their problem.
The point is that these meetings were being reported on as they were happening,
and they were not secret.

In addition, unlike the Bush/Cheney WH, the information has been released, which is why
you have the article to post. Doh!

The point is that the media wants you to be distrustful of this Administration,
cause they don't want shit to get done.

The point is that you are buying what they are selling, and this is exactly what they want from you....cause at the end of the day, as far as they are concerned, we don't need no stinking health reform. That's their point, and I guess it is yours too.

[Bluenorthwest]

15. Why do you support discrimination?

This bill will discriminate against my family, and you, who claims to be so interested in family, supports this bigotry. I find it appalling that knee jerk choir members such as yourself find so problem in the prejudiced language that drips from your beloved hate based bill. You don't care a bit, not a thought, for other families than your own, and certainly not for those who are not approved by the Office of Faith Based Bashings. A bigot because Barack said to be. A robo sort of discrimination.
If I had kids, I"d not mess around with karma like you do. So uncaring for others, so hard hearted and simply mean of spirit. Such energies bring all sorts of wonders to your life and to the life of your loved ones. Because you are willing to see my family destroyed for the sake of your own and some politician from Chicago, land of corrupt politicians who make bigoted deals with big business.
You support bigotry because it will save you a buck, and there is nothing else to say about it. You are strongly promoting a discriminatory law without even a bit of hesitation. Because Axelrod said to.
Do you have a mind of your own, or do you lease your though patterns from Gov Kaine?

[niceypoo]

44. I would concur

MSM are a bunch of morons constantly playing 'Gotcha' and repeating whatever the idiotic GOP talking point of the day is. What they opine matters not, IMHO.

[foginthemorn]

7. I agree with you. The meetings themselves were secret and we

got the information the WH wanted to give to the press. I am glad CREW is working on this.

[razorman]

14. It's always the coverup; not the act itself that causes problems.

This administration needs to resist the temptation to follow the lead of its predecessors in keeping everything too close to the vest. We need more openness, as promised.

[kenfrequed]

20. I would say there is a difference

Now usually I am fairly critical of the administration for the way it created perceptions of being ubber progressive, considering that they would not have made it past the primary or stoked the energy to get elected had they not.

But in this case I find myself being oddly pragmatic.

1) Cheney NEVER released his secret meeting lists and held unto them to the bitter end.

2) The release of these now seems a lot more like political manuevering. Obama now can point out they have been working on healthcare for the last months and have given industry every imaginable possibility to contribute to the debate and to the solution. This kung fu defeats the 'we have to slow down and think about it' delay tactics as well as makes the insurance companies look like intractable whiners.

[mac56]

29. dingdingding we have a winner!

:applause:

[kenfrequed]

32. And the odd thing is...

I usually despise the 'he's a chessplayer' thing, and I think he should have fronted with single payer universal, but this was just too obvious a set up.

Now of course it only works as a political maneuver if they can assert enough influence in the media to assure the public is aware of his attempts at 'being reasonable' or 'listening to all possible voices.' Actually if there are White House talking points this should be the next meme that is put out.

[tavalon]

9. No, we knew

Many people here were furious and heartsick at the time. The media is trying to play us but that doesn't make me any happier with the situation than I was before.

[ProSense]

22. Oh no, I'm shocked!

I've been asleep for four months.

Ludicrous assholes. This shit is just to distract from any progress Democrats are making.

[hamerfan]

8. Meet the new boss,

Same as the old boss.
hamerfan

[pjt7]

10. Obama is certainly no grass roots president

I applaud the reporter who asked him about this yesterday.

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. Yeah, THAT too was a bit refreshing, wasn't it?

I must say Obama was quick on is feet with the answer.
but, the point remains, the deal is being worked out in private rooms, and I kept hearing the word
"insurance" way too many times during the President's speech.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

38. "Insurance" ---

you noticed that too? I want to hear MUCH more about the details of what is being proposed -- I know the concept. My biggest fear is that this is going to be one, big giveaway to the insurance industry (imagine forcing 47 million Americans into the private health care industry - $$$$$) or that what "public option" we get actually turns people off and kills and future move towards single payer.

[dixiegrrrrl]

43. imagine forcing 47 million Americans into the private health care industry

sortal like mandatory car insurance?
Mandatory house insurance?
Mandatory flood insurance?

[Hell Hath No Fury]

47. I live in CA and have mandatory car insurance.

I pay $74 a month for the legal minimum insurance -- I can't afford good, comprehensive car insurance. :( For many years I could have gotten "health insurance" -- of course it had a $2500 deductable and would cost me $160 a month -- which offered me zero help with actual health care and I couldn't afford anyway. :mad:

So I went without for many, many years.

At the end of the day, we may be looking at the possibility of mandatory health insurance (public or private) -- but what does that "insurance" really get you? And how much is it going to cost? And what if they decide that I can "afford" something based on my salary that I really can't realistically afford? And as for insurance companies being forced to take preexisting conditions -- that sounds nice and all but, again, what will that insurance get you, and how much are you going to be forced to pay for it?

There are just so many questions I have -- the Devil is ALWAYS in the details -- and I fear what we may be left with. :(

[ProSense]

24. "I applaud the reporter who asked him about this yesterday."

I applaud the President for making her look like a fool.

[cyberswede]

34. I disagree

I don't think he made her look like a fool. Hers was one of the better questions, imo (I listened on NPR and was thrilled when she asked the question). I felt that his answer was a little off point, though. Having a kick-off event on C-Span is not the same as negotiations taking place on C-Span, and Obama stating that the various groups that are holding meetings can choose to have their meeting on C-Span was a bit of a cop out.

[MSC2007]

11. Where was my invite, I show them how to save $80 Billion a year!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x758013

[stray cat]

13. People involved in current medical plans were talked to about problems with medicine

horrors! :sarcasm: Maybe he should have consulted Joe the Plumber.

[Kermitt Gribble]

16. So you were ok with

the oil and coal companies forging Cheney's energy policies? If this were actual health care reform, the insurance industry wouldn't be anywhere near it.

[tabatha]

39. How do you know it was FORGING?

It may have been --- CUT costs!

[Kermitt Gribble]

48. Or it could be

that they were discussing closing up shop because they developed a conscience and were there promoting single payer.

[change_notfinetuning]

17. When did business as usual become change we can believe in? n/t

[scentopine]

18. What is transparent about this admin is their fight against transparency

We elected a nice republican young man and the republican wing of the democratic party is being looked after. The rest of us, not so much.

The idea of a corporate proxy style government is pure DLC. Both neo-cons and neo-dems have embraced the idea of corporate monopolies as some sort of super-citizen with special rights, privileges and protection against prosecution when laws are broken. Where neo-dems and neo-cons differ is in a shrinking number of social issues - primarily gay marriage and abortion. But dems are no longer a sure thing when it comes to these issues either.

There is a certain consistency to this. For example, let's see whether outsourcing and financial incentives for outsourcing gets better or worse after Clinton's India trip. If past performance is any indication of future performance, brace yourselves.

[dropkickpa]

19. The guys who fucked us

will be so good at not fucking us again :sarcasm:

[berni_mccoy]

21. OH WAIT: THIS C-SPAN COVERED MEETING FROM EARLY MARCH?!? (LINK)

http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Media/2009/03/05/HP/A/16049/White+House+Health+Care+Summit.aspx

Looks like the AP is drumming up shit again.

Please see this link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6126754

[ProSense]

23. "Looks like the AP is drumming up shit again."

AP plays the poutrageous left like a fiddle. It's ridiculous.

[No Elephants]

49. Self delete.

[Senator]

27. I don't think so. Feb. comes earlier than March.

Also, the c-span video is a meeting with "Congressmen and health care experts." And there's no evidence that non-lobbyists made multiple visits.

The story of "early and often" access is correct. Nefarious or not.

--

[berni_mccoy]

31. OH FOR FUCKS SAKES. TWO PEOPLE Were there in Feb. before the march summit.

Do you think C-SPAN should cover every visit a health industry individual makes to the WH?

At least the administration has released the info and is not being secret about it.

When did we EVER get to see Cheney's list of energy execs?

People here are really losing site of reality on this.

[Senator]

41. Wouldn't none have been better?

And wouldn't just giving the list -- with titles and associations -- when asked, instead of (semmingly) in fear of a lawsuit have been better?

Also, I don't see what's stopping Obama from releasing cheney's list. Do you?

---

[flyarm]

25. There are people getting paid $11.00-$16.00 per hour to sell you Obama's medical plan!

They are posting on message boards..and on many progressive and liberal blogs.

[berni_mccoy]

26. I'd say you got that completely backwards.

[Better Believe It]

28. What is President Obama's health insurance plan .... the specifics?

They are certainly having a hard time selling a plan they don't understand and can't answer questions about!

But try they will!

[snooper2]

33. Really, one shred of evidence for that?

My wife could do that on the side for some extra money before the baby comes--

:rofl:

[rudy23]

36. She could. Tell her to contact the PR department of any big medical company

They are in fact hiring right now. Viral marketing is replacing traditional advertising as we speak.

[rudy23]

35. Absolutely. I know first hand about this---you can really start to tell.

When you see a group get REALLY defensive and snarky on BEHALF of corporate medicine, that's one clue. The sloppy ad hominems and strawmen defending these stances do stand out from the usual back and forth we see on this board.

[thereismore]

30. What does that even mean? We don't know squat about the content of those meetings. nt

[debbierlus]

37. They have dictated the discussion and the policy

And, we will get pro-corporate insurance health 'reform' as a result. Instead of throwing off the dead weight of 27% of unnecessary costs for administration of services (ie denial of treatment), we create a elaborate system so they can continue to leech off health care dollars and profit off human illness.

This society is lost.

[tabatha]

40. Proof of dictating?

How about trying to bring everyone to the table to see how to cut costs?

[PainPerdu]

42. CEO salaries

How about cutting costs ,starting with Insurance CEO salaries.

I haven't heard anybody mention the cushion $$$ for malpractice lawsuits and such.

Don'tcha think that's GOTTA be factored in by the INSURANCE companies?

[Wednesdays]

45. K&R

:kick:

[berni_mccoy]

46. You do realize this story has been completely debunked.

[Hannah Bell]

50. link?