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Many people believe health insurance companies are devoted to the noble cause of providing people with quality coverage so they can live healthy and fulfilling lives. However, Wendell Potter, the former head of corporate communications for CIGNA, reveals the actual driving force behind the health insurance industry: profits. Potter also asserts that highly paid executives deceive and manipulate in order to put shareholders profits first and the health needs of their members a distant second.

Potter, who spoke at an event in Virginia Beach, VA, explained that a trip to a free health care clinic in Wise County, VA opened his eyes about the disparities and disfunctions with the health care industry. At the free clinic, Potter saw thousands of uninsured people line up to receive medical treatment in converted animal stalls, according to the Virginian-Pilot.

As a Virginia personal injury attorney, I have witnessed firsthand dubious and deceptive some insurance companies can in denying coverage and benefits to members. For example, some clients I have worked with in the past wound up surpassing their coverage cap on their health policy. That cap is an arbitrary limit on the amount of money a health insurance company will provide for medical coverage, even if the policy holder is unaware he or she even has a cap on coverage.

Potter touched on the Affordable Care Act that was signed into law in 2010. He admitted the law was not a perfect law but defended it as a step in the right direction. For example, the law eliminates the aforementioned coverage caps.

But even with the new health care law, much more needs to be done for patient’s rights and ensuring that every American, when they get sick or seriously injured, are able to focus on recuperation and not on battling a greedy insurance company.

PA

About the Editors: The Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm, which has offices in Virginia (VA) and North Carolina (NC), edits the injury law blogs Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as pro bono services.

One Comment

  1. Gravatar for JeffreyPhillips
    JeffreyPhillips

    The first new rule says you HAVE to have insurance. Both my husband and I have pre-existing conditions, and although the new bill says we can't be denied coverage because of it. So far, the cheapest health insurance we've been able to find is called "Penny Health" search for it online if you are pre-existing conditions.

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