"Shut Up! The Government Says" - McConnell on Humana Letter

[cal04]

http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2009/09/shut-up-the-government-says-mcconnell-on-humana-letter.html
The Note

ABC’s Z. Byron Wolf reports: Democrats announced yesterday that HHS was investigating whether the insurer Humana was misleading seniors about health reform legislation. And CMS, the government entity within HHS that administers Medicare told Humana, in no uncertain terms, to cease and desist lobbying its customers on health reform legislation.

But today Republicans accused the White House and CMS of trying to implement a “gag order” on insurance companies that provide Medicare Advantage programs.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell does not normally get riled up, but he just gave an impassioned speech on the Senate floor about the gag order, Humana, and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, who initiated the HHS investigation. McConnell referred to Baucus only as “a colleague.”

“Using the full weight of the federal government’s enforcement powers to stifle free speech should trouble all Americans — and all of us — even more,” McConnell said. “We cannot allow government officials to target individuals or companies because they do not like what they have to say.”

“Shut up! the government says,” said McConnell on the Senate floor of the CMS letter to Humana. “Don’t communicate with your customers. Be quiet and get in line,” he said facetiously.

There are two points to remember here. Humana is based in Kentucky, so McConnell is quick to protect them. And second, he is a staunch defender of the first amendment. For instance, McConnell is the often the only Republican to vote against a flag burning amendment when it periodically arises.


Republican Leaders Rush to Defend Insurer Humana from "Gag Order"
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/republican_leaders_rush_to_defend_insurer_humana_f.php
(snip)
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who represents Humana's home state of Kentucky, and has received tens of thousands of dollars from the company over the years


Health Insurer Probed For Enlisting Beneficiaries To Fight Reform Proposal
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/health_insurer_probed_for_enlisting_beneficiaries.php

[Winterblues]

1. It is against the LAW for such a company that is under Government Contract

to give out false information for their own betterment. Needs an investigation and they do indeed need to stop the flow of disinformation.