Unhealthy association for Bayh

[snowdays]

As I have said--the insurance industry has Congress wrapped around its little finger and the WH is NOT leading on true reform.

http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/may/unhealthy_associatio.php



Posted on May 27, 2009
Unhealthy association for Bayh



Editorial
Indianapolis Star
May 25, 2009

Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh’s vote could prove critical as Congress debates health-care reform later this year. Yet, Bayh has a clear personal interest in the financial stability of one of the key players in that debate — Indianapolis-based WellPoint, the nation’s largest commercial health insurer.

Bayh’s ties to WellPoint could hardly be more direct for a sitting senator. His wife, Susan, as a member of the company’s board of directors, earned compensation valued at $327,000 from WellPoint last year.

Both the senator and the insurance company deny that there’s a conflict of interest caused by Susan Bayh’s work as a director. A spokesman for the senator said that WellPoint is prohibited from communicating with Bayh’s office. Nor does Susan Bayh, according to the spokesman, discuss issues affecting WellPoint with her husband or his staff.

But WellPoint’s future — and thus a significant portion of the Bayhs’ income — could be at risk as the Obama administration and Congress attempt to reshape the nation’s health-care system.

In a meeting with The Star Editorial Board last week, WellPoint CEO Angela Braly noted that one potential approach — a government-run plan — could cover the health-care needs of as many as 130 million Americans within a year of implementation. Such a move would dramatically undermine WellPoint and other commercial insurers’ business model.

As Braly and many others have pointed out, there’s much to be wary of in having the federal government try to meet Americans’ health insurance needs. The federal government doesn’t exactly have the best track record in controlling costs or rooting out fraud and waste in a broad range of its programs. The thought of dismantling a private-sector industry to further expand government’s role also should give Congress serious pause.

Those are points that Evan Bayh, as a leading Senate moderate, can and should make. But the strength of his message is sure to be undercut by suspicions raised over his wife’s ties to WellPoint.................

[leveymg]

1. Bayh needs to recuse himself in this matter, and temporarily step away from the Chair

[mod mom]

4. That'll be the day, a corporatist recuses himself from any area of vested interest!

I agree w you leveymg, but their MO in obtaining power is to use to their benefit!

[Thrill]

2. He's already sent signals he's not for a public option

I'm glad they can use reconciliation

[snowdays]

6. its a ploy to limit debate.

[depakid]

7. The question is- just how many corrupt DINO's arfe there on the issue?

[Thrill]

8. At least 8.

There is a reason Obama was insistent on getting it in there

[depakid]

13. Eight we can deal with

Putting the pressure on Wyden would be wise at this point- as the man's reasonable enough, but is has also become arrogant and wedded to his own insurance driven "plan."

Not terribly well liked in the public health community on this matter.

[rurallib]

9. very good question - the medical & pharma industries sure lay on

the money. I have not yet heard of anyone say no.

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. What do they do - use individual cones of silence in their house?

This is ridiculous and is an example of what is really rotten in politics - the inhibitor to real, needed change and the rescue of the middle class.

[snowdays]

5. Maybe Daschel loaned him some cones?

[Vinca]

10. If that's not a conflict of interest, I don't know what is.

[uponit7771]

11. Why hasn't any of the talkin heads brought this conflict of interest up yet?!?!??!!??

Screw Bayh, can we get someone to run against him!?!?!?!?!

[DebbieCDC]

12. Bayh's nothing but a DINO