Earlier today, thousands of people descended on the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, DC, where America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), was having its annual conference. They blocked the streets, wrapped the hotel in yellow police crime tape, and sent a powerful message that Congress should listen to us, not the insurers.
The insurers, both as themselves and through the US Chamber of Commerce, announced multi-million dollar ad buys against health reform.
President Obama is amping up the stakes in the last few weeks. In his road show, he's shown sharper language. He again called out California's biggest insurer: "Anthem Blue Cross just jacked up premiums by nearly 40%. 40%! Anyone's paycheck gone up 40%?" He also references his Congressional opposition: "To Republicans: You had 10 years, what happened?"
As the President said, "The U.S. Congress owes the American people an up or down vote on health care. The time for talk is over. We need to see where people stand."
with a background as a consumer advocate and community organizer on many issues, including health issues for the last ten years in California and New Jersey.
