GOP Literally In Bed With Insurance Industry (Lewin Group)

3:21 pm EST July 22nd, 2009 | Republicans | 16 Comments

Not shocking.

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.

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16 Responses to “GOP Literally In Bed With Insurance Industry (Lewin Group)”

  1. SaveFarris says:
    July 22, 2009 at 3:28 pm

    Barack Obama Literally in Bed with Health Care Industry. And unlike Eric Cantor, Obama actually has a say in what gets passed.

  2. Indeed says:
    July 22, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    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.

    Huh. That’s weird.
    So are large insurers for or against health care reform which would include a Public Option? Are they doing anything to help pass or prevent such a law?

    Are large insurers unfairly picked on by Evil Liberals? Like the overtaxed ultra-wealthy and white Christians? Who will stand up for these underdogs?

  3. Indeed says:
    July 22, 2009 at 3:36 pm

    Barack Obama Literally in Bed with Health Care Industry.

    Thanks again for supporting Health Care Reform and standing up to Hugeass Insurance, SF. I didn’t know you had it in you.

    I’m pretty sure Rep. Cantor has a say in the legislative process.

  4. Matthew Hooper says:
    July 22, 2009 at 3:47 pm

    No. No. No.

    For the umpity-umpth time, do not say “fiterally” when you mean “figuratively”!

    I am quite certain that Obama is not “literally” in bed with the health care industry. Michelle would object.

    And the Republicans are not “literally”… all right, with them it’s less of a safe bet. But still, don’t phrase it that way unless that what you mean, demmit! (And if it is true… ick.)

  5. Thomas Nephew says:
    July 22, 2009 at 3:57 pm

    “Research firm literally owned by insurance industry” would be true, judging by the pull quote.

  6. Jay says:
    July 22, 2009 at 3:58 pm

    Follow the money. Depending upon what kind of health care “reform” gets passed, somebody is going to make big bucks. Most of the money right now is going Democrats and why not? They’re the ones in power:

    http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/indus.php?ind=H01

  7. Indeed says:
    July 22, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    Follow the money.

    We did:
    http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/06/special-interest-money-means-longer.html

    Remember that congress (et al) who are lavished with Hugeass Insurance money are only part of the issue. Many Republicans need to protect two key constituents: the Haves and the Haves More (Bush, Jr.’s base).

    So, yeah, follow the money. And thanks for getting on board in favor of Health Care Reform, Jay. As with SaveFarris, I didn’t think you had it in you.

  8. SaveFarris says:
    July 22, 2009 at 4:45 pm

    Indeed, what would you say to the millions of taxpayers who work for insurance companies that will be forced into the unemployment line because of this bill?

  9. rip says:
    July 22, 2009 at 4:48 pm

    Not Conservative = Liberal = Partisan

    Non-partisan = Not Liberal = Conservative

    What’s so hard to understand?

  10. Quaker in a Basement says:
    July 22, 2009 at 4:54 pm

    Indeed, what would you say to the millions of taxpayers who work for insurance companies that will be forced into the unemployment line because of this bill?

    “Get a job!”

  11. Duros62 says:
    July 22, 2009 at 4:58 pm

    Isn’t that cute, Farris looking out for the working man like that.

  12. Indeed says:
    July 22, 2009 at 4:58 pm

    Indeed, what would you say to the millions of taxpayers who work for insurance companies that will be forced into the unemployment line because of this bill?

    I would say,

    “You can’t fight Progress. Enjoy your new, awesome health care. I am truly sorry that it took this long overcome the overt racism (in 1947), bullshit demagoguery*, and outright greed by wealthy douche-bags so that the U.S. might finally have a modern and civilized health care system. Things may have been different for you had we adopted a decent system earlier, when we should have. But better late than never. Also, the third season of Buffy really holds up. That shit totally rocks.”

    *For example, things like, “the millions of taxpayers who work for insurance companies that will be forced into the unemployment line because of this bill.” Now that there’s some bullshit demagoguery of the highest order.

  13. Duros62 says:
    July 22, 2009 at 5:01 pm

    That’s better than what I would say to them right now. To wit: “bunch of organized criminals.”

  14. Indeed says:
    July 22, 2009 at 5:03 pm

    “Get a job!”

    And QiaB for the win. Nicely played.

  15. durablend says:
    July 22, 2009 at 7:15 pm

    Yeah Farris, plenty of management opportunities available if you can say “Want fries with that?” We really needn’t feel sorry for these people.

  16. Repack Rider says:
    July 23, 2009 at 7:20 am

    what would you say to the millions of taxpayers who work for insurance companies that will be forced into the unemployment line because of this bill?

    Learn to take care of patients hands-on and F2F instead of getting paid for screwing them with paperwork. Empty bedpans and clean wounds. Work in an ER. Drive an ambulance. Volunteer somewhere.

    The possibilities are limited only by the imagination of an insurance company drone, and we thank you for opening this subject for discussion.