Check out this post by Ezra Klein, a young hotshot journalist at the American Prospect, entitled “Your Insurer Is Not Your Friend.”
In a nutshell, he explains how the scaremongering tactics of Republicans and insurance companies when it comes to universal health care – warning that government and bureaucrats will come between you and your doctor – a line often repeated by John McCain in the run up to the November elections – has actually been put into effect by insurers (who can count Republicans as one of their top allies).
As just about every doctor’s office knows, it is a royal pain to try and get reimbursement for services from insurance companies. In fact, many doctors have employees in their offices whose sole duties are to communicate with insurance companies and jump through the hurdles they set in their way.
I have always wondered how this image of a Berlin Wall of sorts being erected between Joe six-pack (or should I say Joe the plumber) and his doctor has not been more heavily criticized by the media. Insurance companies operate for one reason and one reason only, which is to make a profit, and they accomplish that goal by collecting premiums whil simultaneously denying claims. Ask any trial lawyer – insurance companies will do everything possible under the sun to avoid paying a claim, no matter how meritorious.
How is having an insurer involved in health care rather than the government advantageous for the average citizen? The insurer, after all, by not providing coverage for out-of-network providers, by denying care for pre-existing conditions, and by denying claims for new and lifesaving treatments, is the one getting between you and your doctor.
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