Fellow Nevadans,
The anti-health reform commercials you see on TV are bald faced lies.Worst among them are the facts and figures that came from the supposed “independent think tank,” the Lewin Group. Well, Nevadans, this “nonpartisan” research firm is none of the above, and is actually owned by Ingenix, a UnitedHealth subsidiary.
That’s right, my friends. The group that has spread the most lies and false figures about President Obama’s Health Care Plan are actually being paid for by the industry that would lose the most money if average Americans like you and me were to receive health care: private insurers like UnitedHealth.
It gets worse. The Washington Post on July 22, 2009 reported that Ingenix was accused by the New York attorney general and the American Medical Association, a physician’s group, of aiding insurers to shift medical expenses to consumers by distributing “skewed data.” The Post goes on to say that Ingenix supplied its parent company UnitedHealth and other insurers with data that allegedly understated the “usual and customary” doctor fees insurers use to determine how much they will reimburse consumers for out-of-network care.
Their dishonest behavior was so grievous, UnitedHealth agreed to a $50 million settlement with the New York attorney general and a $350 million settlement with the American Medical Association, which covered conduct all the way back to 1994.
Nevadans, I hate to say it, but it gets even worse; Even the Vice President of Lewin Group John Sheils admitted when it comes to research results, the client holds the reins on if the findings are published or not. Here is his direct quote, as reported by The Washington Post:
“Let’s just say, sometimes studies come out that don’t show exactly what the client wants to see. And in those instances, they have [the] option to bury the study – to not release it, rather.”
Friends, do not let fear tactics and false information get in the way of the meaningfulHealth Reform our nation needs. Join me in support of Barrack Obama’s America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009.
For more information, visit www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck.
Sincerely,
Kermitt Waters
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