Follow the money

Here’s an analysis of why single payer is not at the table in the health reform discussion. Money quote:

Both lawmakers argue that private insurers, who have a fiduciary duty to shareholders, are the wrong folks to dictate who receives what care when.

"The function of a private health insurance company is not to provide health care; it is to deny health care," Sanders said last week. "Every dollar of premium that a health insurance company does not spend on health care needs is a dollar more in profits."</blockquote>

Or perhaps you like this one:

USA Today released data showing that the biggest drug and insurance giants have amped up their lobbying spending by 41 percent this year to make sure that reform gets done right -- for them anyway.

20 of the largest health insurance and drug companies and their trade groups spent nearly $35 million in the first quarter of 2009, up more than $10 million from the same period last year</blockquote>