House Dems Seek Info From Health Insurers (AP)

[jefferson_dem]

House Dems Seek Info From Health Insurers
House Democrats Request Detailed Records From Industry Opposed To Health Legislation

(AP) Democrats on a House committee are seeking detailed financial records from dozens of large insurance companies, officials disclosed Tuesday, part of an investigation into "executive compensation and other business practices" in an industry opposed to President Barack Obama's plan to overhaul health care.

The request included records relating to compensation of highly paid employees, documents relating to companies' premium income and claims payments, and information on expenses stemming from any event held outside company facilities in the past 2 1/2 years.

The requests were made in letters signed by Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., who guided a portion of health care legislation through the House Energy and Commerce Committee last month as chairman, and Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., who heads the Energy and Commerce investigations and oversight subcommittee.

They wrote that the committee was "examining executive compensation and other business practices in the health insurance industry." The Associated Press obtained a copy.

The requests were issued at a time when Obama's health care proposal is under intense attack from Republicans and other critics, including the health insurance industry. Much of the opposition focuses on proposals for the government to sell insurance in competition with private carriers.

Obama and other supporters of a so-called government option argue it would help control costs and keep insurance companies honest by forcing them to grapple with competition.

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http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/18/ap/congress/main5250860.shtml

[SIMPLYB1980]

1. Open your books.

This should be good.

[Raffi Ella]

2. awyeah.

It's on.

[HughMoran]

3. Finally something productive during the recess

This is the kind of work I'd expect our Congresspeople to be doing.

[Kittycat]

4. Thank god - enough of the nonsense.

Time to roll up our sleeves and get to work on some real reform.

[FreakinDJ]

5. Finally - a "Glimmer of Hope"

[SIMPLYB1980]

6. Kick.

[Jennicut]

7. Good for Waxman. We need to uncover all the sleazy practices of these insurance companies

[KittyWampus]

8. sounds like they are gearing up for hardball. Pharma & Doctors agreed to play nice... Insurance is n

now going to get kicked in the balls.

[Raffi Ella]

9. yup.

Expose those blood sucking bastards for what they are.