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SEANC Protest: Blue Cross Blue Shield
16 Jul 2009 by Tessie in Federal Issues, Home Page, Issues / 1 Comment
On Wednesday, over 60 members of SEANC, HCAN, Acorn, NC Justice Center, AFL-CIO and various community groups came out to the Blue Cross Blue Shield headquarters in Chapel Hill to protest the insurance monger’s war against health care reform. The protesters held up signs proclaiming ‘People Before Profits’ and waved at honking cars.
The event featured several speakers, among them Dr. Gustavo Montana, physician at Duke University Hospital for over four decades. Dr. Montana spoke of the change in Blue Cross Blue Shield’s practices over the years. “[When it was founded] the mission of Blue Cross was to help provide health care at low cost. Over the years I’ve seen a drastic change…Blue Cross has acquired a corporate mentality.”
Adam Searing of the North Carolina Health Access Coalition also gave a dynamic speech at the event. Adam has followed the progression of the health care system, in particular Blue Cross Blue Shield, for 12 years. “The CEO of Blue Cross makes 4 million a year, and last year he got a $766,000 bonus…all we got was a 20% increase in health premiums to pay for that bonus.”
The final speaker to wrap up the event was Dane Cope, Executive Director of SEANC, who coordinated the protest. Dan held up a sign with a picture of Bob Greczyn, CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield, and declared that the millions who support affordable health care reform must no longer be a silent majority. “We need to engage members of Congress and write letters to Bob Greczyn. He is making money on the backs of taxpayers and public employees.”
Dana pointed out a box of letters from Sheryl Moon. She received the statements and collection letters from Blue Cross Blue Shield, denying health insurance coverage to Sheryl’s partner, who was diagnosed with an incurable disease. “Today is the beginning of this war to put an end to Bob Greczyn and his four million dollar salary!” declared Dana Cope.
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1 Comment
Fetsje Goettsch
I am a small business owner. About 6 years ago (at the age of 54 I applied for insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield. I was (and still am) pretty healthy. At that time I took 20 mg of Prozac, no other medications. BCBCNC offered me health insurance for a premium of around $ 1750/month! Needless to say I didn’t respond. Currently I have only major medical insurance, which only covers when I’m admitted to a hospital. As soon as I leave the hospital nothing is covered. Recently I have tried to get better coverage, but have been declined twice, because of pre-existing conditions. I’m in the process of writing Bob Greczyn personally with all the details. He claims that BCBSNC has been a leader for 20 years in expanding coverage when it makes sense. To offer a person health insurance for $1750/month, does not make sense, unless you make $4 million, like he does.
06 Sep 2009 04:09 pm
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