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UID:Indybay-18670551
SEQUENCE:18747615
CREATED:20110129T044500Z
DESCRIPTION:(SAN FRANCISCO) California patients hurt by Blue Shield’s efforts to 
 sharply hike rates will join members of the California Nurses Association 
 and local healthcare advocates at a major protest against Blue Shield’s 
 actions.\n\nWHAT: Local Patients and Nurses Slam Blue Shield’s 
 Practices\n\nWHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 1, 11:00 a.m.\n\nWHERE: Blue Shield San 
 Francisco HQ, 50 Beale St.\n\nLocal patients will describe the direct harm 
 they will suffer or have suffered as a result Blue Shield’s unethical 
 business practices, and will be joined by nurses and healthcare advocates 
 making the case for fundamental reform and an end to the "health tyranny" 
 of the Blue Shields of the world.\n\nPatients, nurses, and consumer 
 advocates will condemn Blue Shield’s decision to ignore widespread 
 opposition to its outlandish rate hikes of up to 59 percent for individuals 
 at a time even other major insurers are delaying premium 
 increases.\n\nNurses will also present new data revealing that, in addition 
 to its price gouging, Blue Shield denied two million patient claims last 
 year, and present calls for much greater transparency and accountability by 
 Blue Shield, which refuses to release details of its executive 
 compensation.\n\n"Blue Shield’s behavior is Exhibit A that the private 
 insurance system is a failed business model," said CNA/NNU Co-president 
 DeAnn McEwen, RN.  "Until we can enact a more humane healthcare system 
 based on patient need rather than insurance industry profits we are likely 
 to continue to see such routine abuses by Blue Shield and the other 
 insurance corporations."\n\nBlue Shield in January announced rate hikes for 
 individual patients of up to 59 per cent, following other sharp premium 
 increases in September 2010 and January 2011.  Blue Shield refused a 
 request from California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones to temporarily 
 delay the increase so that it could be studied, and ducked calls from 
 outside groups to reveal the salaries of its top executives, including CEO 
 Bruce Bodaken, or explain its hoarding of nearly $3 billion of "excess 
 revenue."\n\nNurses will discuss how Blue Shield’s practices illustrate 
 the ongoing reckless behavior of the private insurance giants, and serve as 
 a reminder of the need for far-reaching healthcare reform to remove the 
 stranglehold of private insurers on our healthcare system. \n\nOur 
 demonstrations are always fun and high energy - if you are in the area and 
 can spare a little time, come on down - join the fun!  And make your voice 
 heard. \nAn added note: Our insurance commissioner has authority to 
 regulate rates for homeowners and auto insurance.  But no such authority 
 for health insurance.  This year Dave Jones plans to push the legislature 
 to give him that authority, or so he told me at his inauguration.  He will 
 need your support to get it done.  He knows, as I do, that single payer is 
 the real solution.  But until that day comes there is an opportunity to 
 help real people by creating some meaningful regulation of the insurance 
 industry.  \n\n\n https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/01/28/18670551.php
SUMMARY:Local Patients and Nurses Slam Blue Shield’s Practices Protest
LOCATION:Blue Shield San Francisco HQ, 50 Beale St.\nNear Market 2 blocks from First 
 St.
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/01/28/18670551.php
DTSTART:20110201T190000Z
DTEND:20110201T210000Z
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