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	<title>Comments on: Oft-quoted &#8216;independent&#8217; health group has ties to big insurers</title>
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		<title>By: John Cornyn’s Serial Lies About the Senate Health Care Reform Bill</title>
		<link>http://minnesotaindependent.com/40431/oft-quoted-independent-health-group-has-ties-to-big-insurers/comment-page-1#comment-43710</link>
		<dc:creator>John Cornyn’s Serial Lies About the Senate Health Care Reform Bill</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:21:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://minnesotaindependent.com/?p=40431#comment-43710</guid>
		<description>[...] 6. The so-called independent analysis comes from the Lewin Group that is tied to big insurance. The Washington Post reported on Thursday that the Lewin Group, a [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] 6. The so-called independent analysis comes from the Lewin Group that is tied to big insurance. The Washington Post reported on Thursday that the Lewin Group, a [...]</p>
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		<title>By: John Cornyn&#8217;s Serial Lies About the Senate Health Care Reform Bill &#171; 44~Diaries</title>
		<link>http://minnesotaindependent.com/40431/oft-quoted-independent-health-group-has-ties-to-big-insurers/comment-page-1#comment-43540</link>
		<dc:creator>John Cornyn&#8217;s Serial Lies About the Senate Health Care Reform Bill &#171; 44~Diaries</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:23:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://minnesotaindependent.com/?p=40431#comment-43540</guid>
		<description>[...] 6. The so-called independent analysis comes from the Lewin Group that is tied to big insurance.  The Washington Post reported on Thursday that the Lewin Group, a [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] 6. The so-called independent analysis comes from the Lewin Group that is tied to big insurance.  The Washington Post reported on Thursday that the Lewin Group, a [...]</p>
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		<title>By: Latest health news &#8211; House GOP Health Group Stacked With Health Sector Campaign Cash &#8230; &#124; DNA - Health - Nutrition Blog</title>
		<link>http://minnesotaindependent.com/40431/oft-quoted-independent-health-group-has-ties-to-big-insurers/comment-page-1#comment-40544</link>
		<dc:creator>Latest health news &#8211; House GOP Health Group Stacked With Health Sector Campaign Cash &#8230; &#124; DNA - Health - Nutrition Blog</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:36:36 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description>[...] Minnesota Independent: News. Politics. Media. &#187; Oft-quoted &#8230; [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] Minnesota Independent: News. Politics. Media. &#187; Oft-quoted &#8230; [...]</p>
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		<title>By: Larry S</title>
		<link>http://minnesotaindependent.com/40431/oft-quoted-independent-health-group-has-ties-to-big-insurers/comment-page-1#comment-34831</link>
		<dc:creator>Larry S</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:27:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://minnesotaindependent.com/?p=40431#comment-34831</guid>
		<description>To LL&#039;s question: 

&quot;Why overhall the whole system and screw the majority when you can fix medicaid for the few?&quot;

How about preventing skyrocketing health care costs from bankrupting the nation as well as millions of individual Americans?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>To LL&#8217;s question: </p>
<p>&#8220;Why overhall the whole system and screw the majority when you can fix medicaid for the few?&#8221;</p>
<p>How about preventing skyrocketing health care costs from bankrupting the nation as well as millions of individual Americans?</p>
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		<title>By: jacksmith</title>
		<link>http://minnesotaindependent.com/40431/oft-quoted-independent-health-group-has-ties-to-big-insurers/comment-page-1#comment-34829</link>
		<dc:creator>jacksmith</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:21:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://minnesotaindependent.com/?p=40431#comment-34829</guid>
		<description>LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY. (Thomas Paine)

We have the 37th worst quality of healthcare in the developed world. Conservative estimates are that over 120,000 of you dies each year in America from treatable illness that people in other developed countries don&#039;t die from. Rich, middle class, and poor a like. Insured and uninsured. Men, women, children, and babies. This is what being 37th in quality of healthcare means.

I know that many of you are angry and frustrated that REPUBLICANS! In congress are dragging their feet and trying to block TRUE healthcare reform. What republicans want is just a taxpayer bailout of the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance industry, and the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare industry. A trillion dollar taxpayer funded private health insurance bailout is all you really get without a robust government-run public option available on day one. Co-OP&#039;s ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A GOVERNMENT-RUN PUBLIC OPTION. They are a fraud being pushed by the GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance industry that is KILLING YOU!

YOU CANT HAVE AN INSURANCE MANDATE WITHOUT A ROBUST PUBLIC OPTION. MANDATING PRIVATE FOR PROFIT HEALTH INSURANCE AS YOUR ONLY CHOICE WOULD BE DISASTER AND UNETHICAL, CORRUPT, AND MORALLY REPUGNANT. AND PROBABLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL AS WELL.

These industries have been slaughtering you and your loved ones like cattle for decades for profit. Including members of congress and their families. These REPUBLICANS are FOOLS!

Republicans and their traitorous allies have been trying to make it look like it&#039;s President Obama&#039;s fault for the delays, and foot dragging. But I think you all know better than that. President Obama inherited one of the worst government catastrophes in American history from these REPUBLICANS! And President Obama has done a brilliant job of turning things around, and working his heart out for all of us. 

But Republicans think you are just a bunch of stupid, idiot, cash cows with short memories. Just like they did under the Bush administration when they helped Bush and Cheney rape America and the rest of the World.

But you don&#039;t have to put up with that. And this is what you can do. The Republicans below will be up for reelection on November 2, 2010. Just a little over 13 months from now. And many of you will be able to vote early. So pick some names and tell their voters that their representatives (by name) are obstructing TRUE healthcare reform. And are sellouts to the insurance and medical lobbyist. 

Ask them to contact their representatives and tell them that they are going to work to throw them out of office on November 2, 2010, if not before by impeachment, or recall elections. Doing this will give you something more to do to make things better in America. And it will help you feel better too. 

There are many resources on the internet that can help you find people to call and contact. For example, many social networking sites can be searched by state, city, or University. Be inventive and creative. I can think of many ways to do this. But be nice. These are your neighbors. And most will want to help.

I know there are a few democrats that have been trying to obstruct TRUE healthcare reform too. But the main problem is the Bush Republicans. Removing them is the best thing tactically to do. On the other hand. If you can easily replace a democrat obstructionist with a supportive democrat, DO IT!

You have been AMAZING!!! my people. Don&#039;t loose heart. You knew it wasn&#039;t going to be easy saving the World. :-)

God Bless You

jacksmith — Working Class
		
I REST MY CASE (http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/why-markets-cant-cure-healthcare/)

Republican Senators up for re-election in 2010.

* Richard Shelby of Alabama
* Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
* John McCain of Arizona
* Mel Martinez of Florida
* Johnny Isakson of Georgia
* Mike Crapo of Idaho
* Chuck Grassley of Iowa 
* Sam Brownback of Kansas 
* Jim Bunning of Kentucky
* David Vitter of Louisiana
* Kit Bond of Missouri 
* Judd Gregg of New Hampshire
* Richard Burr of North Carolina
* George Voinovich of Ohio
* Tom Coburn of Oklahoma 
* Jim DeMint of South Carolina
* John Thune of South Dakota
* Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas 
* Bob Bennett of Utah</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY. (Thomas Paine)</p>
<p>We have the 37th worst quality of healthcare in the developed world. Conservative estimates are that over 120,000 of you dies each year in America from treatable illness that people in other developed countries don&#8217;t die from. Rich, middle class, and poor a like. Insured and uninsured. Men, women, children, and babies. This is what being 37th in quality of healthcare means.</p>
<p>I know that many of you are angry and frustrated that REPUBLICANS! In congress are dragging their feet and trying to block TRUE healthcare reform. What republicans want is just a taxpayer bailout of the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance industry, and the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare industry. A trillion dollar taxpayer funded private health insurance bailout is all you really get without a robust government-run public option available on day one. Co-OP&#8217;s ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A GOVERNMENT-RUN PUBLIC OPTION. They are a fraud being pushed by the GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance industry that is KILLING YOU!</p>
<p>YOU CANT HAVE AN INSURANCE MANDATE WITHOUT A ROBUST PUBLIC OPTION. MANDATING PRIVATE FOR PROFIT HEALTH INSURANCE AS YOUR ONLY CHOICE WOULD BE DISASTER AND UNETHICAL, CORRUPT, AND MORALLY REPUGNANT. AND PROBABLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL AS WELL.</p>
<p>These industries have been slaughtering you and your loved ones like cattle for decades for profit. Including members of congress and their families. These REPUBLICANS are FOOLS!</p>
<p>Republicans and their traitorous allies have been trying to make it look like it&#8217;s President Obama&#8217;s fault for the delays, and foot dragging. But I think you all know better than that. President Obama inherited one of the worst government catastrophes in American history from these REPUBLICANS! And President Obama has done a brilliant job of turning things around, and working his heart out for all of us. </p>
<p>But Republicans think you are just a bunch of stupid, idiot, cash cows with short memories. Just like they did under the Bush administration when they helped Bush and Cheney rape America and the rest of the World.</p>
<p>But you don&#8217;t have to put up with that. And this is what you can do. The Republicans below will be up for reelection on November 2, 2010. Just a little over 13 months from now. And many of you will be able to vote early. So pick some names and tell their voters that their representatives (by name) are obstructing TRUE healthcare reform. And are sellouts to the insurance and medical lobbyist. </p>
<p>Ask them to contact their representatives and tell them that they are going to work to throw them out of office on November 2, 2010, if not before by impeachment, or recall elections. Doing this will give you something more to do to make things better in America. And it will help you feel better too. </p>
<p>There are many resources on the internet that can help you find people to call and contact. For example, many social networking sites can be searched by state, city, or University. Be inventive and creative. I can think of many ways to do this. But be nice. These are your neighbors. And most will want to help.</p>
<p>I know there are a few democrats that have been trying to obstruct TRUE healthcare reform too. But the main problem is the Bush Republicans. Removing them is the best thing tactically to do. On the other hand. If you can easily replace a democrat obstructionist with a supportive democrat, DO IT!</p>
<p>You have been AMAZING!!! my people. Don&#8217;t loose heart. You knew it wasn&#8217;t going to be easy saving the World. :-)</p>
<p>God Bless You</p>
<p>jacksmith — Working Class</p>
<p>I REST MY CASE (<a href="http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/why-markets-cant-cure-healthcare/" rel="nofollow">http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/why-markets-cant-cure-healthcare/</a>)</p>
<p>Republican Senators up for re-election in 2010.</p>
<p>* Richard Shelby of Alabama<br />
* Lisa Murkowski of Alaska<br />
* John McCain of Arizona<br />
* Mel Martinez of Florida<br />
* Johnny Isakson of Georgia<br />
* Mike Crapo of Idaho<br />
* Chuck Grassley of Iowa<br />
* Sam Brownback of Kansas<br />
* Jim Bunning of Kentucky<br />
* David Vitter of Louisiana<br />
* Kit Bond of Missouri<br />
* Judd Gregg of New Hampshire<br />
* Richard Burr of North Carolina<br />
* George Voinovich of Ohio<br />
* Tom Coburn of Oklahoma<br />
* Jim DeMint of South Carolina<br />
* John Thune of South Dakota<br />
* Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas<br />
* Bob Bennett of Utah</p>
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		<title>By: LL</title>
		<link>http://minnesotaindependent.com/40431/oft-quoted-independent-health-group-has-ties-to-big-insurers/comment-page-1#comment-34805</link>
		<dc:creator>LL</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:13:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://minnesotaindependent.com/?p=40431#comment-34805</guid>
		<description>Everyone obviously promotes date to further their agendy. Obama highly exagerates the number of people in this country that are not insured. If you take the time to break down the so-called 45 million you&#039;ll see its closer to 10 million. Why overhall the whole system and screw the majority when you can fix medicaid for the few?!?! Does anyone really believe that ACORN is a non-partisan group....</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Everyone obviously promotes date to further their agendy. Obama highly exagerates the number of people in this country that are not insured. If you take the time to break down the so-called 45 million you&#8217;ll see its closer to 10 million. Why overhall the whole system and screw the majority when you can fix medicaid for the few?!?! Does anyone really believe that ACORN is a non-partisan group&#8230;.</p>
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		<title>By: Totto</title>
		<link>http://minnesotaindependent.com/40431/oft-quoted-independent-health-group-has-ties-to-big-insurers/comment-page-1#comment-34711</link>
		<dc:creator>Totto</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:56:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://minnesotaindependent.com/?p=40431#comment-34711</guid>
		<description>Randi Rhodes just discussed the Lewin Group on air and the many Republicans citing their phoney data.  The articles she read were devastating but, as I was driving, I didn&#039;t have a chance to write down the sources.  The Republicans apparently care nothing about public health and are as willing to lie about our health as they were about Iraq.  Money is all to them, and more than a few Democrats. &quot;Liberal&quot; NPR has been distorting for years, especially during Bush.  Not a penny more from me, until they act as responsible journalists and fire Fox&#039;s Juan Williams and Mara Liasson.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Randi Rhodes just discussed the Lewin Group on air and the many Republicans citing their phoney data.  The articles she read were devastating but, as I was driving, I didn&#8217;t have a chance to write down the sources.  The Republicans apparently care nothing about public health and are as willing to lie about our health as they were about Iraq.  Money is all to them, and more than a few Democrats. &#8220;Liberal&#8221; NPR has been distorting for years, especially during Bush.  Not a penny more from me, until they act as responsible journalists and fire Fox&#8217;s Juan Williams and Mara Liasson.</p>
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		<title>By: Carrie O'Brien</title>
		<link>http://minnesotaindependent.com/40431/oft-quoted-independent-health-group-has-ties-to-big-insurers/comment-page-1#comment-34606</link>
		<dc:creator>Carrie O'Brien</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:59:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://minnesotaindependent.com/?p=40431#comment-34606</guid>
		<description>I&#039;m just asking because I went to grad school with a bunch of people from Lewin about fifteen years ago and their company was really admired then. I didn&#039;t even know United had bought them until this article came out. Although they&#039;ve always said they were nonpartisan, all the people I knew who worked there were pretty liberal.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;m just asking because I went to grad school with a bunch of people from Lewin about fifteen years ago and their company was really admired then. I didn&#8217;t even know United had bought them until this article came out. Although they&#8217;ve always said they were nonpartisan, all the people I knew who worked there were pretty liberal.</p>
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		<title>By: Eric Ferguson</title>
		<link>http://minnesotaindependent.com/40431/oft-quoted-independent-health-group-has-ties-to-big-insurers/comment-page-1#comment-34559</link>
		<dc:creator>Eric Ferguson</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:09:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://minnesotaindependent.com/?p=40431#comment-34559</guid>
		<description>Carrie, you ask if Lewin can be dismissed out of hand. Yes. They&#039;re just a branch of UnitedHealth. These industry &quot;studies&quot; have a long history of being lies. There comes a point when someone has lied so much, it would be unreasonable to suggest every new lie ought to be taken seriously. If I&#039;m to take UnitedHealth&#039;s &quot;study&quot; seriously, then let&#039;s go back to pretending the Tobacco Institute is a legitimate source on cigarettes.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Carrie, you ask if Lewin can be dismissed out of hand. Yes. They&#8217;re just a branch of UnitedHealth. These industry &#8220;studies&#8221; have a long history of being lies. There comes a point when someone has lied so much, it would be unreasonable to suggest every new lie ought to be taken seriously. If I&#8217;m to take UnitedHealth&#8217;s &#8220;study&#8221; seriously, then let&#8217;s go back to pretending the Tobacco Institute is a legitimate source on cigarettes.</p>
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		<title>By: Carrie O'Brien</title>
		<link>http://minnesotaindependent.com/40431/oft-quoted-independent-health-group-has-ties-to-big-insurers/comment-page-1#comment-34545</link>
		<dc:creator>Carrie O'Brien</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:46:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://minnesotaindependent.com/?p=40431#comment-34545</guid>
		<description>I know this meme has been running around the blogosphere since the Post article, but apart from Ingenix buying them two years ago, is there any evidence that Lewin is NOT non-partisan? It seems like they&#039;ve published tons of reports over the years that have been cited by Dems and health advocates as much as this new thing has by Repubs. It&#039;s one thing to disagree with the methodology (have you read the actual report?), but silly to dismiss them out of hand because of the UHG tie.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I know this meme has been running around the blogosphere since the Post article, but apart from Ingenix buying them two years ago, is there any evidence that Lewin is NOT non-partisan? It seems like they&#8217;ve published tons of reports over the years that have been cited by Dems and health advocates as much as this new thing has by Repubs. It&#8217;s one thing to disagree with the methodology (have you read the actual report?), but silly to dismiss them out of hand because of the UHG tie.</p>
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