I would like to take a quick look at some of the hot issues of this week and even some of the issues that fly under the radar. I hope you like them. Let me know what you like and what you don’t like!
If you ever wanted to know why we need the health insurance reform that the Teapublicans have labeled as “Obamacare”, just read the story about the Vietnam Vet who paid his health insurance bill, but was Two Cents short and he was cancelled! “Vietnam vet Ronald Flanagan has been battling cancer for more than two years. Two weeks ago, Flanagan was getting prepped for a bone biopsy at the local Exempla Rock Creek Medical Center. But at the last minute, his wife called the hospital and told them to stop the procedure because she had just received notice that they no longer have insurance. The reason why? The couple had accidentally underpaid their insurer by two pennies and it decided to drop them from their plan: Two pennies. That’s the difference between a potentially life-saving surgery, and a dropped insurance plan. Those two cents could cost Vietnam veteran Ronald Flanagan everything. “Everybody we talk to is very surprised that two cents is enough to do this,” said Flanagan. It was an innocent enough mistake, according to Ron’s wife, Frances Flanagan. “If I only had just hit the nine instead of the seven,” Frances said. When she was paying their monthly health insurance premium online in November, Frances swapped a 7 for a 9, leaving their $328.69 payment two cents short.” http://thinkprogress.org/2011/01/26/insurance-company-veteran-cents/ Their insurance company, Ceridian Cobra Services, stated that the payment was short so it was a proper cancellation! The next time someone asks you why we need health care reform and restrictions placed on health insurance companies, just remind them of the Flanagans! (more…)
