Michael Moore is the man insurers love to hate. His controversial documentary, “Sicko,” exposed huge holes in the health care system—not only for those 50 million or so (and climbing) who lack any coverage, but even among those lucky enough to have a policy supposedly protecting them.
The film spurred a renewed national dialogue about the need for perhaps radical reform, after relative silence and inaction on this glaring national crisis since First Lady Hillary Clinton’s attempt to overhaul the entrenched system crashed and burned.
Now Senator Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., is again talking up the need for health care reform—although pushing for more modest changes, perhaps, than her original grandiose scheme—as the centerpiece of her campaign for the White House.
Indeed, all of the Democratic candidates are pitching health insurance reform, making it fairly certain that should a Democrat take the White House next year, you can bet substantial changes will be one of the first orders of business for Congress in 2009.
“Sicko” did about $25 million in domestic ticket sales—not even close to the record $119 million ($225 million worldwide) generated by Mr. Moore’s anti-war documentary, “Fahrenheit 9/11,” but more than enough to start a political and media firestorm that has yet to die down.
Why is this of any interest for a property-casualty audience—particularly one like NU’s, which is focused on commercial coverage?
For one, a growing number of independent agencies are pitching employee benefit plans along with property, liability and workers’ compensation coverage. In fact, in this softening commercial market, health insurance has become a buyer’s biggest pain point, making the agent invaluable in putting together an affordable benefits program.
In addition, many risk management readers also either personally handle benefit purchases, or supervise those who do.
Last—but certainly not least—should Congress alter the health insurance landscape, it is likely to have a major impact on the medical component of both workers’ comp and auto insurance.
Imagine, if you would, where those two lines might be without the burden of medical care or drug expenses to worry about. (We’ll explore the issue in NU next year for sure as the presidential race heats up.)
“Sicko” inspired me to post a series of five provocative blogs over the week of July 9-13, which drew some of the most intense and thoughtful responses I’ve ever received from readers at www.property-casualty.com.