Arkansas Blue Dogs' district ranks among worst in country for health insurance options

[Joanne98]

Yesterday, Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark) -- leader of the conservative Blue Dog's health reform efforts -- made the not-so-surprising announcement that he would oppose a health reform bill if it included a public option, a government-backed insurance choice.

Rep. Ross said he made the decision because "an overwhelming number" of his constituents supposedly oppose a public option. It also He also said it was paramount that health reform legislation serve "those of you who like your current health insurance plan."

But most of Rep. Ross' constituents have little way to compare how their health plans size up, because one company -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas -- dominates the health insurance market.

In Arkansas, Blue Cross controls 75 percent of the state's health insurance market in HMO and PPO plans, according to an American Medical Association report in 2007 (the latest figures available).

The state ranks 5th-highest in the nation for the share of the market dominated by one company (tied with Montana).

And in a state with little health insurance competition, Rep. Ross' district is among the worst. Arkansas' 4th Congressional district includes Texarkana, which ranked as the city with the least health insurance competition in the country out of 313 metro areas analyzed in the AMA study.

Continued>>>
http://www.southernstudies.org/2009/09/residents-have-few-health-insurance-options-in-arkansas-blue-dogs-district.html

[laughingliberal]

1. And he likes it that way

Just a guess that BCBS of Arkansas is a big contributor

[sinkingfeeling]

2. He lied. I was on several of his phone town halls and he always asked for a vote on the

public option. On both calls, it was about 50-50. Also 61% of the callers were on Medicare, Medicaid, VA Tricare, or some other form of government run insurance. Blue Cross Blue Shield bought out Sen. Lincoln and Mike Ross.

Called his Washington office this morning and told them he was really 'yellow', meaning a coward who just can't stand up to the monied lobbyists of BCBS.

[OHdem10]

3. Blue Dogs-Big Business Wing Democratic Party.

When Blue Dogs run in an election they do not run on a set of
Denmocratic Party Principles. Just like the DLC. they compete
with the Republican Candidate using his principles essentially
promising to be a little kinder and gentler. Who do GOP target?
Upper Classes--those making over 50 K a year.

How do the upper classes feel about Helth Care, How does Bog
Business feel about Health Care. This should tell you how
they will vote.

I gather we send them money and give them support during campaigns.
Keep in mind their real committments.

[laughingliberal]

4. Well, I made well over $50,000 per year

But I never saw Republican or Blue Dog values as being good for anyone working for a living. And I was always in favor of a single payer system. This is part of the problem. If people making that kind of money think they are doing OK, they just haven't seen the facts for what they are yet.