Join the rally against Anthem in Portland

[MaineDem]

(From Maine Change that Works)

It's ANTHEM vs. MAINE, and Maine needs your help.

The cost of health insurance keeps skyrocketing, and Anthem keeps profiting. Now, they are suing the State for the right to charge Mainers even more for the health insurance we *ALREADY* can’t afford. *But* *Anthem and Maine will square off in court on March 19, and Maine needs your help! *

JOIN THE PROTEST – SIGN UP TODAY BY CLICKING HERE!<http://www.changethatworks.net/node/314/view>

For the last year, thousands of Mainers have been fighting Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield's attempts to jack up their premiums as much as 35% on individuals. We have worked together to get the state to make Anthem keep the rate hikes down, but now Anthem is suing Maine for a guaranteed 3% profit. Dozens of organizations, faith leaders, and hundreds of activists are calling for a two-day mobilization in Portland right before the court hearing to show Anthem that Maine will *NEVER* back down in the fight for quality, affordable health care for all.

JOIN THE FIGHT - CLICK HERE TO GET INVOLVED!<http://www.changethatworks.net/node/314/view>

* MARCH 18, 5pm - RALLY & PROTEST!*

The night before the hearing, *join WENDELL POTTER (the former insider VP who blew the whistle on insurance company greed) and hundreds of Mainers*outside the Cumberland County Courthouse 142 Federal Street to *protest* Anthem's greed.

*MARCH 19, 8am - PACK THE COURTHOUSE*!

Help us *fill the courtroom* and the park outside to support Maine in its fight against the greed that hurts our families.

Here’s the skinny: Last year, Anthem asked for an 18% rate hike for certain policyholders. After holding hearings, Maine’s Superintendent of Insurance denied that request but did grant Anthem a 10.9% rate increase. *That wasn’t enough for Anthem!* They decided to file a lawsuit against the state of Maine to ensure a guaranteed profit at a time when many Mainers are struggling just to make ends meet. That case hasn’t even been heard yet, and Anthem has already requested an additional 23% rate increase on the same policyholders on top of what they are suing for. *Wellpoint, Anthem’s parent company, made $2.7 billion dollars just in the 4th quarter of 2009, yet they are now asking Mainers to pay even more.*

*We have a unique opportunity.* The March 18 rally will have a strong impact by reminding the public that, without reform, they are left to the whim of Anthem’s greed. Without passing health care reform, our elected officials will also be letting us down.

*Now is the time to take a stand, and every person can make a difference. It will be exciting, historic and memorable - but it takes all of us standing together.*

NOW IS THE TIME – CLICK HERE – HELP MOBILIZE – TELL YOUR FRIENDS<http://www.changethatworks.net/node/314/view>

[Angsty]

1. How did it go?

I couldn't make it.

Is Anthem the only health insurer in Maine? I never hear about anyone else any more. What happened to create this monopoly?!