A literally sickening pattern

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

Exclusive: WellPoint routinely targets breast cancer patients
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE63L2LS20100422

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/02/angela-braly-wellpoint-ce_n_523824.html
Angela Braley: Wellpoint CEO Pay jumps by 51 percent

http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2010/03/31/wellpoint-mlr/
Wellpoint Reclassifies Costs as Medical Care to Meet Reforms Medical Loss Ratio Requirement

Anything for a profit, right? How many times do we have to see this same pattern of practice exposed in our American corporate culture?

To be scrupulously fair, here is a link to Wellpoint's response
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wellpoints-reuters-response-91845649.html

I think this needs to be thoroughly investigated. My particular question is: did the so-called logarithm target the most vulnerable -people who had small business or individual policies? I thought of that immediately as soon as I read about the woman who owned the art gallery, was a writer, etc. cos my Spidey sense started tingling. They could never get away with this in a large company with a big Human Resources Department and enough employees to diffuse the cost.

IF they were as horrible as these first reports look, I sincerely hope that a class action suit on the part of the victims of this practice takes Wellpoint to the cleaners.

Where are the so-called regulators?

Of course, Citizens United means that companies like Goldman and Wellpoint can just purchase politicians sympathetic to their cause -profits at any cost.

[chill_wind]

1. K & R. n/t

[SmileyRose]

2. K & R

[amborin]

3. Well point lobbyists got 3rd party review language deleted from the HCR bill Obama passed

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8198337

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

4. It's just not possible that politicians have personal stakes in healthcare legislation

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/10/report_bayhs_wife_made_millions_as_board_member_fo.php
Report: Bayh's Wife Made Millions As Board Member For Health Insurer
Zachary Roth | October 29, 2009, 2:15PM

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

5. Sure, these companies deserve legislative entrenchment

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jun/17/business/fi-rescind17

Blue Cross praised employees who dropped sick policyholders, lawmaker says
Workers received high marks on performance reviews after policies were rescinded, documents show. The health insurer denies the practice is a factor in evaluations.
June 17, 2009|Lisa Girion
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What? They don't?!