GOP Health Plan Would Allow For ‘Sweatshop Insurance’
GOP Health Plan Would Allow For ‘Sweatshop Insurance’
Under the Republican health care alternative filed in the House, young and healthy individuals can purchase policies from insurers that don’t abide by local benefit or rate standards. The Republican bill allows the health insurer to choose a “primary state” “whose covered laws shall govern the health insurance issuer” and sell policies to people in other states without adhering “to all of the consumer protection laws or restrictions on rate changes of the state.”
Over at MYDD, Bruce Webb calls the provision, “Sweatshop Insurance.” This bill goes far beyond merely “stripping states of power over insurance rates and conditions,” he notes. It “explicitly expands the definition of ‘State’ to include not just D.C. and Puerto Rico, which makes some sense in context, but adds BY NAME the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and Jack Abramoff’s favorite client-the Northern Marianas home of the ‘Made in the USA’ Chinese-owned close to slave labor sweatshops.” From pages 121-122 of the bill:
In 2001, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands famously hired corrupt lobbyist Jack Abramoff to enlist his support in stopping “legislation aimed at cracking down on sweatshops and sex shops in the American territory.”
“Given the record of corruption in the N. Marianas,” Webb writes, “and the willingness of various Caribbean and Atlantic Island nations to let themselves be used as off-shore banking and tax shelter entities, you can bet Aetna and WellPoint are slavering at the prospect of ‘basing’ their plans out of a PO Box on some tropical nation.”
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“Given the record of corruption in the N. Marianas,” Ward writes, “and the willingness of various Caribbean and Atlantic Island nations to let themselves be used as off-shore banking and tax shelter entities, you can bet Aetna and WellPoint are slavering at the prospect of ‘basing’ their plans out of a PO Box on some tropical nation.”
Republicans: We screw over Americans every chance we get. It’s what we do!
November 6th, 2009 at 12:41 pmWhy don’t the Republicans just admit their goal is to remove any remaining rules and regulations that are hampering the profits of health insurance companies?
Apparently, they don’t think these companies are making enough money, and they don’t think the American people have been screwed enough.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:42 pmRepublicans are totally owned by corporations.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:43 pmAnd just think of the ‘Tea-baggers’ who honestly believe the GOP is for America. When the truth is they would let them rot in the gutter.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:44 pmSingle payer is the only real Public Option. Socializing the insurance industry might work, but why go through all the trouble when it’s far less a task (and probably a whole lot less expensive) to simply force them out of business.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:45 pmWe should all be down on our knees thanking Bush, Cheney, Rove and DeLay, for without their colossal f*k ups…Boehner might be the speaker of the house and this might be law.
Absolutely terrifying, that a party that claims to support freedom, small business, and the “Main Street America” could push legislation that strips any and all consumer protection from an already corrupt and amoral health insurance industry.
I’m hoping the economy rebounds and unemployment numbers fall well before 2010, so that every Dem and Independent can point to THIS, which the GOP will have to defend with nothing to deflect to.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:46 pmCute.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:48 pmThis is completely laughable, stupid and incompetent.
Just do a Dick Cheney and move all corporate operations to Dubai or Iraq, then forbid the policy holders the right to sue in the USA.
Oh, don’t forget to wrap this turd in the flag and tell the moron gNOpig zombies this is an improvement of their freedumbs.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:50 pmThe real GOP plan:
“Don’t get sick; but if you do get sick…die quickly.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:52 pmI’ll say it again…..I will NOT purchase any mandated health insurance if there isn’t a public option to create competition and lower premiums. If they want to slam me with expensive income tax penalties, I’ll just stop filing with IRS. Instead of death panels, let them put imprisonment panels in place.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:53 pmI had already asked what is to stop the Insurance Industry from pouring all its resources into buying off one state ? (States all the time offer “tax incentives” to get industries to move in. Walmart uses its clout to demand concessions from Govt or says it will move elsewhere) ?
But now the insurance companies can take the money off shore ?
And the insurance companies are getting a sweet deal from the fed govt so that they can take in more money and they are gonna move that off-shore so they don’t even pay US taxes ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
November 6th, 2009 at 12:55 pmWhat are the odds that Main Stream Media News is gonna report on this “little” detail so the sheeple know they are getting fleeced ?
November 6th, 2009 at 12:56 pmHyperinflation says:
Voted down, offtopic.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:57 pmHyperinflation: FOAD
November 6th, 2009 at 12:57 pmHyperinflation says:
Obama’s Frightening Insensitivity Following Shooting
November 6th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Prove it, dingleberry. With links and stuff.
You do know how to link, don’t you? Don’t you…?
November 6th, 2009 at 12:57 pmOr if you want an example a little closer to home, this is what the Republicans did for the credit care issuers who get to override state usury laws by basing themselves in South Dakota which allows them to charge pretty much whatever interest rate they want.
Want to watch a teabagger’s little tinfoil head expolde? Ask them to reconcile this provision in the Republican “plan” with their Tenther belief that the states can ignore a bill passed by congress if they don’t think it is constitutional.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:58 pmHyperinflation, that would be your hearts desire. Too bad you din’t have enough support in America to keep it from happening……enjoy your minority status. You earned it.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:59 pmBREAKING NEWS: 8 people shot, 2 dead in Orlando highrise.
Link to local live video:
http://www.wesh.com/video/16128463/index.html
November 6th, 2009 at 1:00 pmI don’t give a rat’s ass who votes me down…If we get fcuked on health insurance reform, I’m opting out.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:00 pmHyper, Pelosi is a leader and we have you to thank for that.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:01 pmhyper, calm down. You supported people who lie for a living. Judge your own. You have no say anymore. America has rejected you.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:03 pm19. Hyperinflation
http://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_ahcaa.pdf
It appears that math, like logic and comprehension, is not one of your strong points. This bill has been online since October 29th.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:03 pmJeffy Bovine
I was waiting for you, Princess.
Shall we discuss your racism and bigotry?
November 6th, 2009 at 1:04 pmLet’s round up all the hyper inflated repugs and shovel them onto a tiny island, let them buy insurance from a corrupt insurance company under the repug rules and watch the thing as a reality show. All those repugs killing each other to get a coconut would be a ratings bonanza.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:04 pmThe Democrats are in charge. Suck it up. You teabaggers are irrelevant. Welcome to reality.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:04 pmThis amounts to a federal government takeover of the insurance regulation departments of every state in the country.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:04 pmWhere in the Constitution does it say she has to do such a thing?
We’ll wait for you answer…
November 6th, 2009 at 1:05 pmHyperinflation says:
——————————————————————————–
This bill has been online since October 29th
You mean the bill that hasn’t yet been written? LOL!
The bill is not written for you. Repugs are going alone on this health care deal. Good luck
November 6th, 2009 at 1:08 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Hyperinflation says:
Obama’s Frightening Insensitivity Following Shooting
I forget, what was your reaction to the shootings?
Oh, right: “LOL!”
November 6th, 2009 at 1:09 pm21.
Caught the report on USA Today online. Incredibly, without details, some are blaming Obama for the shooting.
Seriously.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:09 pmTwo meth-addicted trolls on one thread. Sad…
November 6th, 2009 at 1:09 pmLondra kulesi muhaf?z? says
Please, please Shut the F up
November 6th, 2009 at 1:10 pmSimply put, our government is perverted and corrupt. All they protect are the ones with the power to make money and the “campaign contributions” that result from that protection.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:10 pmWhere in the Constitution does it say she has to do such a thing?
STILL waiting for your answer…..
November 6th, 2009 at 1:14 pmHa. Nice to see Mr. Meth getting defensive without actually denying it.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:15 pmAnd the other choices for starting two wars are?
November 6th, 2009 at 1:15 pmSorry to be OT, but the sh!tstorm has begun:
If you were wondering what paranoiac smear artist would be the first to step out and attempt to name President Barack Obama as the man who guided Nidal Malik Hasan to his murderous rampage at Fort Hood yesterday, the answer — naturally! — is Jerome Corsi. Corsi has a long history of lunatic, fact-averse ravings and he fails to disappoint on that regard on the pages of World Net Daily, today, in a piece entitled “Shooter advised Obama transition.” Except, of course, he didn’t do any such thing.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:15 pm41 Jeffy Bovine
Shouldn’t you be out purchasing a new mattress?
My bad, after soiling yourself last night at the thought of MUSLIMS under your bed you probably are still scraping off those crusts down your legs.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:16 pmHyperinflation
this seems to apply to you:
November 6th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Hyperinflation says:
She is committed to the posting… it’s posted now… the RULE that you refer to has been followed…
http://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_hr3962_dingell.pdf
This has been on-line since Nov. 3… that plus the link that Ennui gave you mean that the bill has been posted continuously for well over 72 hours… grow up.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:17 pmZooey jetmknxatgmail.com
Quit the force William J Fritz crooked cop!
November 6th, 2009 at 1:17 pmHyperflatulation
Go sign up for Afghnanistan already
November 6th, 2009 at 1:19 pmHyperinflation says:
Zooey says
Sez the pothead…..zzzzz.
Sez the buckethead…zzzzz
Quite the force Fritz!!
November 6th, 2009 at 1:20 pmHyperinflation says:
Can you read?
November 6th, 2009 at 1:20 pmIt’s posted… read it.
Republicans, keeping up the destruction of America by Corporations 24/7.
How else would they get money to get elected?
November 6th, 2009 at 1:21 pmjeffy, where in the Constitution does it say she has to do such a thing?
Again, STILL waiting for your answer…
November 6th, 2009 at 1:21 pmsince hyper wants to spam the thread, may I suggest that we all just flag his as$ for that?
November 6th, 2009 at 1:21 pmThe Weakly Stained Turd Hypoflatulant
November 6th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Jeffy Bovine
How would you like your insurance company relocating corporate operations to Panama?
And leaving you and your cows filling out forms in Spanish?
You’d like that, don’t cha, Bovine?
November 6th, 2009 at 1:22 pm*FLAGGED*, Spamming
November 6th, 2009 at 1:24 pm57 Fred
You guys had to flag Jeffy Bovine since like 6 months ago.
This moron has been pestering Think Progress and boasted to all his “3 friends” he was “undercover”
November 6th, 2009 at 1:25 pmHyperinflation, call your mommy and tell her you need a new username. This one is expiring.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:26 pmSeconded.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:26 pmThat’s ok johnny, we still need to do it and now seems as good a time as ever.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:27 pmJudging by hypo-injection’s postings I seriously doubt the rube would be able to even comprehend the language in the Bill no matter how much time the troll had to dry out and read it. But go ahead and repost your inane post again fool as you obviously don’t have anything of import to say.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:27 pmHyperflatulation maybe you should call the recruiters office.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Hyperinflation says:
The rules committee resolution is not included in the ‘text of the bill’ that Baird’s 72 hour posting rule refers too… take it up with Brian Baird, it’s not my fault that neither you nor the Weekly Standard can be bothered to read legislation before commenting on it.
The bill is posted. The rule has been followed. Your desperation is evident.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:29 pmSee you Saturday!
the gop likes sweatshops. They brought us wal mart and the anti-union movement that has decimated working class America.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:29 pmHippoflatulation, they have opium, cheap, in Afghanistan. I know you want to go. Sign up now!
Zooey Jetmknxatgmaildotcom
Fritz is corrupt!
November 6th, 2009 at 1:31 pmDelay called the Mariannas his petri dish of capitalism.
You hear that Wiperflatulation. You can work in the Mariannas!
November 6th, 2009 at 1:32 pmDiaperflatulation
Igmoe extraordinaire
November 6th, 2009 at 1:33 pmwhere did hypergutless go?
November 6th, 2009 at 1:35 pmYeah, we don’t get into discussions with the obviously mentally challenged.
You could try to impress us with your wit and intelligence except……
November 6th, 2009 at 1:36 pmI think I heard something.
Never mind it was just gas.
It’ll pass.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:38 pmflag him some more guys, TP will get tired of it if we do.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:38 pmIt’s cute when trolls use Faiz’s first name, like they know him personally.
It’s not like your mommy hyped. He’s not upstairs.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:40 pmhttp://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-hr554/show
Here’s the 72 hour bill bill, hyper… read it, learn it, know it… the clock started on Nov. 3 with the posting of the ‘Manager’s Amendment’
Hooray for reality!
November 6th, 2009 at 1:40 pmThe Repukes were whining that they couldn’t possibly read that huge bill in 72 hours and now they’re complaining that it won’t be posted for 72 hours. Although it probably is but they’re too stupid to find it.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:42 pmJeffy Bovine,
Come back you moron!
I have a question to ask you and your insurance company about your pre-existing condition.
You know, not the one with the horsies, the other one about your toe tapping in public restrooms at truck stops.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:44 pmFrom The Sunlight Foundation:
Dyperflatulation, you may want to watch “Schoolhouse Rock” to find out how a bill becomes a law. That’s probably more your speed.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:48 pmi just wonder – is that thing printed in 48pt. type?
i guess that’s one way of giving it some heft…
November 6th, 2009 at 1:49 pmFLAGGED – Just for kicks Hyperignoramus.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:53 pm#83 Katy… no no no… they wanted the LEAST pages possible
they would have been proud to have it in a sentence if they could. – that way they could brag about how short it is versus the Dems version..
——-
well, I see this shooting today as a copycat thing – someone shoots people.. and people imitate… that’s rather normal (for crazies anyway)
no apparent connection to make out of it at all.. and frankly – I doubt it would be getting this much attention if it weren’t for what happened yesterday.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:53 pmbut….. it does seem to have to do with his being unemployed..
isn’t that cute. *sigh*
November 6th, 2009 at 1:54 pmjeffy, we are still waiting….when are you going to show us in the Constitution that the speaker of the house has to post a bill for 72 hrs prior to voting on it?
November 6th, 2009 at 2:01 pmInteresting use of the Commerce Clause. I have my doubts about whether it’s constitutional. Also, I didn’t think they wanted Puerto Rico to be a state, much less D.C. D.C. probably can’t constitutionally be a state, anyway.
November 6th, 2009 at 2:07 pmAnd their top-secret plan for healthcare reform is revealed to the public, mwahahaha!
November 6th, 2009 at 2:18 pmIn retrospect, it was crazy of us to pressure these guys to come up with any sort of plan at all. I mean–what were we thinking?
November 6th, 2009 at 2:39 pm“GOP Health Plan Would Allow For ‘Sweatshop Insurance’”
Until we get campaign finance reform in order to get corporate power out of the top tier of US government, we may one day have sweatshops… before the final crash.
November 6th, 2009 at 2:46 pmSooooo…where are all the “tenthers” defending states’ rights? Surely they must be outraged by the idea that any company can stomp all over the laws of a given state merely because they’re headquartered somewhere else — right?
Oh. Right. It’s OK if the Republicans want to do that. If the Democrats proposed such a thing, they’d be calling for another tea party.
November 6th, 2009 at 2:51 pmLondra you are an ignorant bigot and a brainwashed pile of shit just STFU and leave the adults to have a conversation you are ALWAYS going to be too stupid to contribute to
November 9th, 2009 at 12:18 am