Talking points, distributed to employees of UnitedHealth Group argue against a public option. “Our company is very concerned that a government-run health plan would be a road block to meaningful health care reform. It would significantly increase costs for individuals and families, would add billions of dollars in new liabilities to the federal budget, would break down the current health care system upon which more than 160 million Americans rely, and would violate the President’s commitment that those who like their current coverage can keep it,” the memo reads.
In a letter from UHG, obtained by TPM, employees are encouraged to communicate this and other views directly to members of Congress at town hall events. As TPM reported yesterday, a source who obtained the letter says UHG directed him to an anti-health care reform tea party outside of the office of Rep. Zack Space (D-OH). UHG denies that report.
You can read all the talking points below the fold. According to Ben Smith of Politico, these are the talking points cited in the UHG letter.
- UnitedHealth Group supports bipartisan, comprehensive health care modernization.
* Our company is playing a constructive role in the health care modernization discussion, engaging with the Administration, Congress and industry leaders in support of sustainable reform that will slow future health care cost growth while still delivering quality medical coverage.- Our industry has been innovators in developing best practices that achieve this goal – these include efforts from far-reaching administrative reforms that slash paperwork to initiatives that reduce medical errors, all to ensure that doctors and hospitals can focus on patient care.
- UnitedHealth Group, in partnership with physicians, hospitals and other care providers, has developed proven initiatives that government could undertake today to slow future health care cost growth, including institutional preadmission programs to manage illnesses and prevent avoidable hospitalizations, clinical evidence-based care management tools, and rewards for physicians for providing comprehensive medical care. It is critical that sustainable health care reform be passed that will not only expand coverage and improve quality, but also will slow the growth of health care costs.
- Our industry’s proposal for health reform brings everyone into the system, guarantees coverage for all Americans, does away with pre-existing condition limitations, and ends ratings based on health status and gender.
- The approximately 75,000 men and women of our company work passionately every day to help people lead healthier lives.
- Our company is very concerned that a government-run health plan would be a road block to meaningful health care reform. It would significantly increase costs for individuals and families, would add billions of dollars in new liabilities to the federal budget, would break down the current health care system upon which more than 160 million Americans rely, and would violate the President’s commitment that those who like their current coverage can keep it.
- We are committed to the enactment of a uniquely American approach to health care reform and bipartisan reforms that build upon what is currently working and that ensure those who like their current coverage can keep it.
