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8/14/2007
SiCKO is research for Health Insurance Forum
Always ask questions. Maintain high standards for policy discussions. And always demand high expectations of elected officials and their ilk.
The Alliance of Cities, the Wisconsin Counties Association and the League of Municipalities hosted a “Health Insurance Forum,” inviting David Riemer and Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) as speakers.
So they send out this piece saying “Here is some background to help you prepare for the Healthy Wisconsin forum….”
With all due respect to my friend Rich Eggleston, Communications and Community Outreach Coordinator of the Alliance of Cities, his piece is an obnoxious blow by blow description of Michael Moore and SiCKO. Per Eggleston, in the memo, “[SiCKO] manages to look at some very scary realities without losing its sense of humor. Folks with a scalpel to grind do sometimes say bad things about it. But it’s hard for anyone with an open mind to see why.”
Is this unprofessional diatribe tongue in cheek?
I asked Eggleston why he would start a health insurance “fact-finding forum” (his words) with anecdotal entertainment as “background”. He said “I don’t know anyone who’s put together facts that are trustworthy.” And “There are people with axes to grind. They are often the same people who benefit financially from the system.” (Eggleston’s personal ax to grind is with insurance companies and their “profits.”)
Whatever you think about SiCKO, it is not scientific research. It’s a bunch of anecdotes that are contributing to Michael Moore’s millions. Contrary to Eggleston’s statements, the movie’s assertions have been professionally and credibly questioned. Check here for a number of excellent pieces – and determine their credibility yourself.
Ok. We could talk back and forth about SiCKO for weeks. Here’s the point. These supposedly credible associations that lobby on behalf of municipalities throughout the state are hosting a health care forum using a Michael Moore flick as a major exhibit. Any of you who attend, please send me news of anything more scientific that gets presented.
Eggleston did follow up his Michael Moore wackiness with information about the “potential savings” of a Healthy Wisconsin plan. HW “potential savings” on paper are created, for the most part, only because current municipal benefits (and consequently, employer premiums) are richer than the state employees health program, after which HW is modeled. Note too, that most municipal employees, paying premium contributions of 4.5% of their salary as called for by HW, would be paying more than they’re currently paying. Wow. Private sector employee premium participation is more like 15% of salaries – what’s yours?
Lastly, note that claimed cost savings for municipal employees are illusory, as most unions will negotiate supplemental policies and/or an equivalent quid pro quo.
Controlling health care costs in Wisconsin is a huge challenge. The answers to that challenge are not going to be found in the half-truths of a Michael Moore film.
COMMENTS
Rich may be using a scalpel. But you are using a hatchett.
What's the deal with putting "quotes" around insurance company profits?
The purpose of the film is to state that profits have no place... I'll say that again .... no place in providing care for human suffering.
The only plan put forth which scalpels out the profit is Wisconsin Health Security. If the reader doesn't see that, anything else is a spin job.
And there's lots of 'wacky' spin going on here.
I would suggest you see the film before taking these cheap shots. Nowhere did I read in the piece today that the remarks about the film are any more than hearsay.
Lon Ponschock (Tue Aug 14 11:09:11 2007)
Lon,
I have heard that stated before. However, where does that end? Is it evil too to profit on the need for food? Is it evil to profit on the need for shelter?
Mark A Framness (Fri Aug 17 15:11:13 2007)
The world operates as a business. These companies would be limited in their ability to offer new program and plans that are designed for certain individuals if they operated as a nonprofit. The fact is that they are a business and the goal of a business is to produce a profit. If you're so noble, then why don't you start a nonprofit health care company?
Hear, hear. JE
Tony L (Wed Oct 10 11:11:17 2007)
Health insurance should be a responsibilty of the individual. It would be beneficial if your company offers health insurance. but that is not always the case. You can find affordable health insurance at www.healthplanone.com.
Joey G (Wed Oct 10 11:14:37 2007)
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