Baucus refers to the LEWIN GROUP (United Health) in rejecting the public option.

[Nikki Stone1]

Remember when Rachel talked about this group? Countdown talked about it today:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/ns/msnbc_tv-countdown_with_keith_olbermann#33080361

Lewin Group:

http://www.colleenpatrick.com/blog/2009/08/lewin-group-owned-by-us-health.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/22/AR2009072202216.html

Research Firm Cited by GOP Is Owned by Health Insurer

The political battle over health-care reform is waged largely with numbers, and few number-crunchers have shaped the debate as much as the Lewin Group, a consulting firm whose research has been widely cited by opponents of a public insurance option.

To Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, the House Republican whip, it is "the nonpartisan Lewin Group." To Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee, it is an "independent research firm." To Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, the second-ranking Republican on the pivotal Finance Committee, it is "well known as one of the most nonpartisan groups in the country."

Generally left unsaid amid all the citations is that the Lewin Group is wholly owned by UnitedHealth Group, one of the nation's largest insurers.

More specifically, the Lewin Group is part of Ingenix, a UnitedHealth subsidiary that was accused by the New York attorney general and the American Medical Association, a physician's group, of helping insurers shift medical expenses to consumers by distributing skewed data. Ingenix supplied its parent company and other insurers with data that allegedly understated the "usual and customary" doctor fees that insurers use to determine how much they will reimburse consumers for out-of-network care....

[babylonsister]

1. She mentioned Grassley; did she also mention Baucus? nt

[Nikki Stone1]

4. Countdown had video of Baucus TODAY referring to the Lewin Group backing his decision

Look at the video (first link in the op)

[babylonsister]

6. That's why I asked. I still didn't hear Baucus mention Lewin.

I listened to it. :shrug:

[Raine1967]

14. Babylon: Is that link working for you? eom

[babylonsister]

15. Yes, it was a repeat of Countdown. I didn't hear Baucus mention

the Lewin Group. I did hear Grassley.

[Raine1967]

13. Did Baucus actually reference the Lewin group?

I tried the link you posted to KO, it did not work.

I know Kyl Used the Lewin Group as a source today -- I did not see anywhere when Baucus did.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

2. why is the administration allowing a loose cannon fire off in silly directions?

I mean this silly fool who is protecting his own back in his state and is frightened that he might lose his seat to the GOP. Baucus give yourself a spine!

Baucus should be a sacrificial lamb for the millions of people in this country who are needlessly dying due to lack of proper healthcare.

[Dawson Leery]

3. Thank you for pointing this out.

I do watch Ms. Maddow regularly, but I have not heard of "The Lewin Group" till now.
I'll take a look.

Also, if you could help me, I would like to put a picture/avatar in my posts if possible.
Thank you.

[handmade34]

7. welcome!

go to options, edit your profile...

Rachel Maddow offers us much needed info

[Nikki Stone1]

8. I'm not the best person to ask about how to do avatars but

go to options (above). That should lead you in the right direction.

[csziggy]

9. At the top of the page, click on the Options icon

Then select "Edit Your Profile" in the menu on the left. You can select from the many avatars available or upload your own. I am not sure about the size and format requirements if you upload your own avatar.

Welcome to DU!

[Dawson Leery]

11. Thank you. Acknowledged.

Thank you to the others who answered the question also.

;-)

[imdjh]

5. Shocking.

[handmade34]

10. I was ranting about Baucus before Rachel came on

what a game they are all playing... If he truly wants reform and a public option he should fight for it... not make excuses

[glinda]

12. Does ANYONE ever correct these people??????

[stevedeshazer]

16. Disingenuous bastard, that Max Baucus.

Everyone with half a brain knows that the Lewin Group is the biggest patch of Astroturf on this or any other planet.

Baucus is wholly owned by Big Med and Big Pharm and Big Farm.

According to opensecrets.org he has received $25,101,138 in his fundraising career from 1989 to present.

The Great State of Montana, which I dearly love, has a population of just less than one million.

More than twenty-five bucks spent per Montana citizen, and that's a conservative since not everyone votes. No wonder the guy keeps getting elected.

Don't believe me? Check it out.

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cycle=Career&type=C&cid=N00004643&newMem=N

[Nikki Stone1]

17. Or maybe just shameless.

?

[spanone]

18. they are a 'think tank' that thinks about keeping profits high

http://www.lewin.com/WhyLewin/AboutUs/

http://action.seiu.org/page/s/lewin?gclid=COblkfykmJ0CFSduswod0AbS1g