Cigna Healthcare

Re: "Self-paid surgery, then a legal fight," Oct. 7: So Anthem Blue Cross of California agreed to pay for a policyholder's liver transplant -- but only if he had it in California. This could have been a de facto death sentence for Ephram Nehme, whose doctor told him that he could die waiting. Because Nehme had the means to travel to Indiana and pay for a $205,000 procedure, he is alive today. Next, Cigna HealthCare refused to pay for a liver transplant for one of its insured. When at last it consents, due to negative publicity, it is too late and 17-year-old Nataline Sarkisyan dies.

Re: "Self-paid surgery, then a legal fight," Oct. 7: So Anthem Blue Cross of California agreed to pay for a policyholder's liver transplant -- but only if he had it in California. This could have been a de facto death sentence for Ephram Nehme, whose doctor told him that he could die waiting. Because Nehme had the means to travel to Indiana and pay for a $205,000 procedure, he is alive today. Next, Cigna HealthCare refused to pay for a liver transplant for one of its insured. When at last it consents, due to negative publicity, it is too late and 17-year-old Nataline Sarkisyan dies.

How did the healthcare reform debate -- arguably the country's most important policy discussion in decades -- turn into such a miserable cesspool of scheming and disinformation? This past week we were treated to images of conservative protesters heckling Democratic lawmakers at town halls, demanding that they abandon plans for "socialized medicine" and "government-run healthcare." We also saw polls showing that support is slipping for current reform plans. A Wall Street Journal/NBC News survey, for example, found that only about a third of respondents think what's on the table is a good idea.

How did the healthcare reform debate -- arguably the country's most important policy discussion in decades -- turn into such a miserable cesspool of scheming and disinformation? This past week we were treated to images of conservative protesters heckling Democratic lawmakers at town halls, demanding that they abandon plans for "socialized medicine" and "government-run healthcare." We also saw polls showing that support is slipping for current reform plans. A Wall Street Journal/NBC News survey, for example, found that only about a third of respondents think what's on the table is a good idea.

Abandoning the business lobby's traditional resistance to healthcare reform, a new coalition of 36 major companies plans to launch a political campaign today calling for medical insurance to be expanded to everyone along lines Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is proposing for California. Founded by Steve Burd, chairman of the Safeway grocery chain and an ally of the governor, the coalition could boost efforts in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., to overhaul healthcare laws.

Lawyers saying they represent 32 million members of managed health care plans have launched the largest legal assault yet on HMOs, filing class-action lawsuits against five of the industry's biggest players. The suits are expected to further pound the managed health care industry on Wall Street and add to its image problems--even though it is far from clear whether the lawsuits will result in substantial damage awards or even survive initial legal tests.

Cigna HealthCare Names New President: Cigna HealthCare of California, the state's fourth-largest health maintenance organization, with more than 650,000 members, named Mark Wagar, 42, president and market manager. Wagar had been vice president in charge of the company's medical group HMO. The Glendale-based HMO, a unit of Bloomfield, Conn.-based Cigna HealthCare Inc., said Wagar will be responsible for all medical, sales and marketing activities.

Abandoning the business lobby's traditional resistance to healthcare reform, a new coalition of 36 major companies plans to launch a political campaign today calling for medical insurance to be expanded to everyone along lines Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is proposing for California. Founded by Steve Burd, chairman of the Safeway grocery chain and an ally of the governor, the coalition could boost efforts in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., to overhaul healthcare laws.