Waxman insurance probe began in July

Waxman insurance probe began in July


Chris Frates Chris Frates – Fri Aug 21, 11:33 pm ET


House Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman raised eyebrows this week when he launched a financial probe into the nation’s largest insurance companies, which are at the center of the health reform battle.

Now POLITICO has learned that Waxman’s recent investigation began almost a month earlier than previously thought — with letters to the insurance industry’s powerful trade group and its consultant regarding grassroots tactics.

A committee spokeswoman defended the probes — saying lawmakers need to know that private insurance money is being spent effectively as part of the effort to control costs. But the trade group, America’s Health Insurance Plans, is crying foul, saying Waxman is merely trying to bring it in line behind his version of the health reform bill.

“Congressional oversight is not a tool that should be used to chill dissent,” said AHIP spokesman Robert Zirkelbach. “These investigations are nothing more than politically motivated, taxpayer-financed fishing expeditions designed to intimidate and silence health plans.”

The letters are just the latest volley in a low-level battle Waxman is waging with health industry titans.

First, the powerful chairman made it clear he is not bound by an $80 billion deal among the White House, Senate Finance Committee and the pharmaceutical industry when he included provisions in the House bill the industry opposes. And now he is turning up the heat on the insurance industry – whose opposition helped scuttle President Bill Clinton’s health reform efforts in the 1990s.

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20090822/pl_politico/26356

bastards..

here? If there is criminal wrong doing, shouldn't this be addressed by the Justice Dept and or the state insurance commissions?

That has to do with the burgeoning health care costs that government programs have to pay as well as how much various insurance reform bills that will require government subsidies will cost. As far as I know all the insurance reform bills suggest subsidies for some insurance subscribers. That makes it the government's business.

Waxman investigated tobacco, private contractor abuse in Iraq, even steroids in baseball. Check out the book he recently published. I think you can buy an on-line version.