Why Aren't Dems Championing Insurance Reform?

[cali]

Republicans have cultivated tort reform, which in reality will be a huge gift to corporate interests, and made a lot of political hay out of it. Why aren't dems vigorously pursuing Insurance reform, which is a great counter to the bogus tort reform movement? It strikes me that taking up the banner of Insurance reform and getting it out there in front of the public, is a winning issue. Does this make sense to anyone else?


Disclaimer: My knowledge of this issue is limited to a couple of shows on C-SPAN, so maybe I'm talking out of my hat.

[BrainRants]

1. That's a very good question!

I keep believing we don't know how to frame the debates, this is a fine example. The lawyers don't get our money, the insurance companies do. I don't see any money coming out of my paycheck going to a law firm.

This is the simple Joe sixpack logic people can follow. Great idea!

[annabanana]

3. The Insurance companies are out of control...........

..record profits, rates rising WAY beyond fiduciary reason..
And you have to get a lawyer to get them to pay WHAT THEY HAVE CONTRACTED TO DO.

[cali]

5. thanks.

So let's start talking it up. I think I'm going to find out as much as I can about the subject.

[annabanana]

2. I think Eliot Spitzer is giving them the hairy eyeball.

He will be a wonderful NY Governor.

[ShaneGR]

7. Yes, Insudrance reform is one of Spitzer's babies... nt

[One_Life_To_Give]

4. DLC?

HyPothesis?
Concidering Hartford CT is nicknamed the "Insurance Capital." There may be a couple VID (Very Improtant Dems) Who don't want to upset their base too much.

[Mandate My Ass]

6. IIRC insurance lobbyists and lawyers contribute heavily to Dems

Repubs are going after those damned trial lawyers and harping on tort reform primarily to screw us, and also to dry up a huge source of Dem contributors. Once the insurance companies no longer have to worry about being sued, who do you think they'll support then?

Three birds, one stone.

[Cocoa]

8. Eastern dems are owned by financial interests

Christopher Dodd led the fight to override Clinton's veto of major legislation favorable to the securities industry, which undermined ordinary investors' legal protection against fraud.

I'm sure similar forces would come into play with insurance reform. Joe Lieberman comes to mind as being beholden to insurance interests, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer.

[cali]

9. That makes sense, but sometimes

it's all about the time being ripe. Dems are finally developing a small donor base, and this issue would help them expand it. Spitzer is digging into it and winning applause for doing so. I can't believe that all the dems are beholden to the Insurance companies.

[Cocoa]

10. absolutely right

fuck the corporate dems. Time for them to make way for dems like Spitzer. And for Russ Feingold, who rumor has it will be running for pres in 2008.

[EC]

11. Kerry/Edwards did have a decent plan

but they weren't given a chance. People don't have a clue and go along with tort reform, which is at the expense of victims...the insurance companies already fight tooth and nail to pay out for rightful claims, I can just imagine if this passes...I'm already at the point of telling these "protection racket extortioners" to f**k off. And I work in insurance...that is why I have been trying to find a new job for the last 4 years, my conscience can't take what this industry has become...