TPMDC Insurance rate hikes
Health Care
Obama Goes On The Offensive With His Health Care Stump Speech
Christina Bellantoni | March 8, 2010, 9:38AM
President Barack Obama With Jon Favreau and Ben Rhodes
Listen closely to President Obama today in Philadelphia -- his remarks on health care will serve as a message to wavering Democrats as Congress attempts to finish up the battle to pass reform legislation. But they also will serve as a preview for a broad health care campaign this fall.
It's true that members of Congress are eager to pass something and move on. But rather than sweep it under the rug, you can expect to hear more, not less, from Obama on health care once it becomes law. Democrats acknowledge they lost the message war last summer and are just starting to tip the scales back in their favor. One way to lock in support from the American people before and after Obama signs the bill will be to clearly explain what's in it.
Obama has promised Democrats he will be the chief booster for the reform legislation, detailing how it will help everyone, not just the uninsured. As I reported recently, Senate Democrats have been given a set of talking points that directly deal with how people with insurance will be helped by the measure, something that aides believe is critical to boosting public support for the plan.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (21) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Barack Obama, Dan Pfeiffer, Health Care, Insurance rate hikes, White House
Insurance rate hikes
Health Care Showdown: The White House Takes on Insurers
Christina Bellantoni | March 4, 2010, 3:56PM
President Barack Obama and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius
President Obama and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today summoned the nation's four largest health insurers responsible for rate increases the administration calls "jaw-dropping." They demanded the insurers - WellPoint, Cigna, Aetna and United Health Group - start disclosing their rate increases on the Internet.
Everyone involved called the talks "constructive," but shortly after the meeting a report surfaced showing the nation's largest insurer would stand to profit substantially if reform fails.
The Washington Post's Ezra Klein got his hands on a report from a consulting firm which evaluated Wellpoint stock and concluded, "Of course, healthcare reform is a double-edged sword for Wellpoint shares. Should reform fail, Wellpoint would be a primary beneficiary."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (26) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: AHIP, Anthem Blue Cross, Barack Obama, Health Care, Insurance rate hikes, Kathleen Sebelius, WellPoint, White House
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