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Analysis — ‘Reframing’ the debate to make insurers look poor

By Wendell Potter

While the country was struggling to emerge from a recession, and more and more of us were struggling with no medical coverage, the big for-p

Excerpts from this story referencing "WellPoint":

"… biggest for-profit health insurers.Over the past few weeks, UnitedHealth, WellPoint, Aetna, CIGNA and Humana—reported fourth quarter 2010 earnings, and all …"

"… ding to YAHOO! Finance, UnitedHealth’s profit margin last year was 4.92; WellPoint’s was 4.91; Aetna’s was 5.16; and CIGNA’s was 6.35. The profit margi …"

"… on equity of the big five insurers last year ranged from 11.86 percent for WellPoint to 22.35 percent for CIGNA, according to YAHOO! Finance. Cigarette maker R …"

Insured profits

By Wendell Potter

ANALYSIS: Health execs get richer as Americans beg for help to pay bills

Excerpts from this story referencing "WellPoint":

"… The good news, at least for shareholders, just keeps on coming. Yesterday, WellPoint Inc., which operates more than a dozen Blue Cross plans across the country …"

"… surers blow past what they had been expected to earn by such wide margins. WellPoint’s shareholders must be pinching themselves today to make sure they’re …"

ANALYSIS: Blue Cross, Blue Shield get richer by borrowing playbook of corporate insurers

By Wendell Potter

ANALYSIS: Examining the soaring profits of the nonprofit Blues

Excerpts from this story referencing "WellPoint":

"… e five largest for-profit insurers (Aetna, CIGNA, Humana, UnitedHealth and WellPoint) had combined profits of $11.7 billion. But that was so 2010.If the p …"

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PACs flocked to conservative Blue Dog Democrats, then fled after crucial votes

By Josh Israel and Aaron Mehta

In mid-2009, the 52 conservative House Democrats who made up the Blue Dog Coalition were at the height of their power. Money was rolling in

Excerpts from this story referencing "WellPoint":

"… bama’s health reform bill. WELLPAC is the political action committee for WellPoint Inc., the health insurance company for more than 33 million Americans and …"

"… rt of 30 Blue Dogs, including Donnelly, Markey, and Baron Hill of Indiana. WellPoint’s response was swift. The PAC gave nothing to Donnelly, Markey, or Hill …"

"… e of those contributions would be to Democrats who voted against the bill. WellPoint did not respond to a Center request for comment.The National Association o …"

Aetna, Humana, other insurers mull new group to influence November races

By Peter H. Stone

Five of the nation’s largest health insurers are in serious discussions about creating a new nonprofit group and bankrolling it to the tune

Excerpts from this story referencing "WellPoint":

"… industry.Aetna Inc., Cigna Corp., Humana Inc., United HealthCare Inc. and WellPoint Inc. are weighing the new drive in part to shape the government regulation …"

"… mpaigns.”Representatives of Aetna, Cigna, Humana, United HealthCare, and WellPoint could not be immediately reached for comment.Focus on close contestsOveral …"

"… bably the most important one right now,” explains a source.For instance, WellPoint wants to allow the inclusion of the costs incurred when it checks out the …"

"… incurred when it checks out the credentials of physicians in its networks. WellPoint runs Blue Cross plans in over a dozen states.Insurers are concerned about …"

ANALYSIS: Blue Shield of California's refund is peanuts compared to its profits

By Wendell Potter

ANALYSIS: Don't take Blue Shield's $180 million refund offer at face value
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ANALYSIS: Insurers value profits over people

By Wendell Potter

Columnist Wendell Potter says insurers' quarterly reports show earnings up; health care down

Excerpts from this story referencing "WellPoint":

"… this week. The three companies that have already spoken — UnitedHealth, WellPoint and Aetna — earned a combined $2.51 billion from April through the end o …"

"… their strong performance during the first half of this year, UnitedHealth, WellPoint and Aetna have all have raised their profit forecast for 2011. In other wo …"

"… ors have bid up the stock by more than 50 percent at four of the big five. WellPoint, the laggard, saw its stock price increase by a still-impressive 35 percen …"

"… rowth line,” Zubretsky said.Whether he knew it or not, he was channeling WellPoint CEO Angela Braley. In a 2008 conference call with financial analysts, Bral …"

Ask Wendell: The Mental Health Parity Act may save the day

By Wendell Potter

Insurers must treat mental illness like any other medical condition thanks to Congress.

Excerpts from this story referencing "WellPoint":

"… you live, also send a copy of your correspondence to Angela Braly, CEO of WellPoint, Inc., (Anthem’s parent company) and John Cannon, WellPoint’s general …"

"… raly, CEO of WellPoint, Inc., (Anthem’s parent company) and John Cannon, WellPoint’s general counsel and chief public affairs officer, at 120 Monument Circ …"

"… , IN 46204. For good measure, you might also send copies to one or more of WellPoint’s board members. You can find their names on page 31 of the company’s …"

"… nce (and indicate you are doing so at the bottom of your letters to Anthem/WellPoint). California is unique in that it has two regulatory bodies: the Departmen …"

Gingrich ventures took in more than $105 million over a decade's time

By Peter H. Stone

Proceeds from various ventures added up to more than $105 million

Excerpts from this story referencing "WellPoint":

"… merica’s Health Insurance Plans, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, WellPoint Inc., and Johnson & Johnson, according to the Center for Health Transf …"

Watchdog groups call on Newt Gingrich to disclose all health center clients

By Fred Schulte and Joe Eaton

Public interest groups demand health center's client list

Excerpts from this story referencing "WellPoint":

"… showing members such as Microsoft, drug maker AstraZeneca, insurance giant WellPoint, management consultant firm Booz Allen Hamilton, GE Healthcare, Siemens, A …"

"… which health center officials said cost them $200,000 a year. AstraZeneca, WellPoint, Microsoft and Booz Allen Hamilton were among those charter members.Earlie …"

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