Bill Moyers Journal Features CMD's Wendell Potter

by John Stauber — July 9, 2009 - 3:23pm
  • Topics: Corporations, Health, Politics
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    Wendell Potter and Bill Moyers

    Wendell Potter, the Center for Media and Democracy's Senior Fellow on Health Care, was interviewed for most of an hour by Bill Moyers on his Journal program Friday, July 10th.

    Wendell Potter spent more than 20 years as a public relations executive for two large health insurers - Cigna and Humana - but left the industry after witnessing practices he felt harmed American health care consumers. In his own words:

    I am speaking out about how big for-profit insurers have hijacked our health care system and turned it into a giant ATM for Wall Street investors, and how the industry is using its massive wealth and influence to determine what is (and is not) included in the health care reform legislation members of Congress are now writing. I was in a unique position to see not only how Wall Street analysts and investors influence decisions insurance company executives make but also how the industry has carried out behind-the-scenes PR and lobbying campaigns to kill or weaken any health care reform efforts that threatened insurers' profitability.

    Wendell first went public as an advocate for health care reform as the lead witness at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on June 24 and has since attracted significant and continuing news media attention.

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    Wendell Potter on Health Care Reform

    Submitted by Douglas Smith (not verified) on July 10, 2009 - 8:11pm.

    This gentleman was able to strip away the layers of sometime confusing language
    that makes understanding the debate difficult for the average person. I will search out the transcripts of the testimony to the committee.
    His message needs to be delivered in a wide and loud method.
    Thank you Mr. Moyers -We (your viewers) need to see Wise County in more detail,
    next to hunger in children in this country lack of the most basic health care is criminal.

    Bill Moyers

    Submitted by Steven R. Goins (not verified) on July 10, 2009 - 8:00pm.

    I am truly impressed by this interview and how spot on this segment was. I am a liver transplant patient and I received my transplant through Medicare. I would hate to think what would have happened to me if I had been with Blue Cross when I needed the transplant. I had my insurance through my union IATSE Local 477 Miami, FL. I support Government Health Care. Steven R. Goins

    Bill Moyers interviews

    Submitted by Dr, Harris Meyer (not verified) on May 10, 2010 - 3:35pm.

    This is just one more example of the exemplary work that Bill Moyers does. When you look up "truth seeker" in the dictionary, you see his picture. We more like him in journalism. Of course the reform bill has passed now that it's May, 2010 but the system is in a total shambles. Wellpoint was just accused of dropping women with recent breast cancer diagnosis and the health care bill doesn't have the teeth needed to stop horrific actions like this. We all need to stand together, fight for what's right, applaud people who take that frightening and risky step of coming out against their industry and putting the good of the people ahead of everything else. It really shows that there is good in this world...just not in big corporate America for the most part...and nearly nowhere in the insurance industry. Thanks Wendell, you're an American hero!

    As a San Francisco chiropractor, I have lots of first hand experience with denials of care, and terrible insurance abuses of the system and their subscribers. I too insure my own family for outrageous premiums and moderate benefits. Not only do I feel for the average citizen who wants good health care and not to go broke or be taken advantage of, I am one.