Alliance for Retired Americans Blog

California Seniors Blast Humana

This Tuesday, days after America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the national insurance trade industry association, unveiled it's second massive advertising campaign aimed at sabotaging health insurance reform and deceiving seniors about their benefits, more than two dozen California Alliance for Retired Americans seniors called on the health insurance industry to stop attempts at scaring seniors with disinformation about health insurance reform to protect its bottom line.

Last week Humana reported a 65% jump in third quarter profit as soaring Medicare Advantage premiums and membership overcame the company’s slumping commercial business.

California seniors delivered a letter to the regional headquarters of AHIP member company Humana, calling on the company to stop participating in the AHIP ad campaign and to end its own highly controversial outreach to seniors about health insurance reform.

Humana was found in violation of Medicare rules for "misleading beneficiaries" when it sent deceptive mailers to at least 900,000 retirees, warning their benefits would be at risk if reform passed.

Humana receives federal subsidies for Medicare Advantage plans that cost 14% more than traditional Medicare offering similar services.  The California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) seniors discussed how reducing these overpayments will strengthen Medicare by reducing prescription drug costs, making preventive care free of charge and securing the Medicare Trust Fund.

According to CARA Vice President Hene Kelly, removing the windfall overpayments to private Medicare profiteers like Humana is as essential as fighting for a strong public option in the final Senate bill.  He said, "Humana’s behavior is unacceptable.  Seniors like myself know the truth about health insurance reform and are working harder than ever to cut wasteful government subsidies to insurance companies and to push real health reform.  Seniors will benefit from significant health insurance reform and the big health insurance industry will not stop us!"

More photos here.

Missouri Alliance Protests Humana's Scare Tactics

On Monday, the Missouri Alliance for Retired Americans and allies delivered a letter to Springfield’s Humana office, calling on Humana to stop audacious attempts at scaring seniors about health insurance reform.  [Photos]

Days after America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the national insurance trade industry association, unveiled a massive advertising campaign (launched in Missouri as well as Pennsylvania, Colorado, New Mexico, Louisiana and Nevada) and issued a misleading "report" aimed at sabotaging healthcare reform and deceiving seniors about their benefits, numerous seniors and allies called on the health insurance industry to stop scaring Missouri seniors with disinformation about health insurance reform.

[Pictured above left to right: Kay Mills, Pro-Vote in Springfield;  Dave Curtis, SEIU retiree in Springfield.; Herb Johnson, MO AFL-CIO Secretary/Treasurer; Judith Parker, MOARA Field Organizer; Dave Meinell, MOARA President;  Richard Green, Disability Rights Now in Springfield.; Bob Kortkamp, MOARA Treasurer;  and Clark Brown, SEIU Local 1 Union Rep/Organizer.]

In September, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced an investigation examining whether or not Humana improperly used federal Medicare money for its lobbying activity.  The investigation is ongoing.

AHIP members such as Humana receive federal subsidies for Medicare Advantage plans that cost on average 14% more than the regular Medicare service fee and provide basically the same services.  Health insurance reform legislation aims to end wasteful subsidies that go directly from taxpayers and seniors into the swollen accounts of Humana’s CEOs and lobbyists.  MO ARA members will discussed how reforming inefficient subsidies to Medicare Advantage, Medicare will actually be strengthened, thereby allowing lower prescription drug costs, free preventive care and better care for chronic conditions.

Missouri Alliance President David R. Meinell who is a Humana member and received one of the misleading mailers said, "Seniors like myself know the truth about health insurance reform and are working harder than ever to cut wasteful government subsidies to insurance companies and to push for meaningful health insurance reform.  Seniors and all Americans stand to benefit from significant health insurance reform and the big health insurance industry will not stop us!”

Press clips here:

Springfield News-Leader
Activists accuse Humana of using scare tactics on seniors
Spokeswoman says company supports health care reform.
Days after the Obama administration backed away from a gag order against health insurers, a small group of state activists traveled to Humana's corporate office in Springfield and lodged a formal complaint.
"We're protesting the misuse of our funds," said David Meinell, president of Bridgeton-based Missouri Alliance for Retired Americans. [More]

KTTS 94.7 FM - Springfield, MO
Seniors group claims deception
A group representing senior citizens says one insurance company has launched an ad campaign aimed at deceiving people into believing the worst of what could happen if Congress passes health care reform. Missouri Alliance for Retired Americans President David Meinell says Humana has sent a letter to its subscribers suggesting cuts in benefits that he says are simply not true. [More]

KOLR/KSFX TV (ABC) - Springfield, MO
Seniors Claim Humana Insurance Uses Scare Tactics
(Springfield, MO) -- A group of seniors spent the afternoon protesting outside Humana Insurance Company in south Springfield.
The Missouri Alliance for Retired Americans says Humana is using scare tactics in letters mailed to seniors, as well as advertisements running on Missouri TV stations [More]

Kaiser Health News
Oct. 20, 2009
Missouri Group Accuses Humana Of Using Scare Tactics [More]

AFL-CIO blog
Big Rallies to Protest Humana?s Scare Tactics, and More Health
Care News
by Seth Michaels, Oct 20, 2009
Polling out today shows again that the U.S. public wants health
care. More news from the battle for health care below.
The Alliance for Retired Americans continues to pressure Humana
and other insurers to stop using scare tactics against seniors,
including a rally at Humana?s offices in Springfield, Mo. [More]

Photos from yesterday can be found on Missouri's new flickr site!