AIG, Others Routinely Denying Care To Contractors Injured In Iraq, Afghanistan

ProPublica:

Civilian workers who suffered devastating injuries while supporting the U.S. war effort in Iraq and Afghanistan have come home to a grinding battle for basic medical care, artificial limbs, psychological counseling and other services.

Read the whole story: ProPublica

Comments

[dan-o]

Most of these people were not mercenaries- they were truck drivers and other blue collar jobs that went so they could support their families.

Another sad fact is the same thing is happening with hundreds of thousands of Americans in the Work Comp system. Insurance companies abusing injured workers-not much has changed.

[JoeBlough]

This is why health care for profit is such a bad idea. We need universal health care.

[JoeBlough]

We have to pay for the mercenaries health care?

[sueinmn]

One of the AIG reports stated how they pay HUGE hourly sums to their lawyers to deny claims. Congressiona hearing should show fraud by the insurance companies but it seems once again the Congress can blow smoke and never really do anything real. Well other than millions into campaign coffers.

[Bettysdad]

Further proof that there is no less patriotic a group than the American businessperson.

All the little flag lapel pins in existence don't make up for one person, military or contractor, being denied help.

We need to re-think our treason laws, and put these people on trial.

[zukervati]

Here here.

[hellboundtrain]

The answer here and everywhere is: Do not start illegal wars!

[dandypuddin]

They'd rather pay bonuses than claims. I cannot wait until this company is gone completely.

[nowarpleez]

Why should they be treated any better than our soldiers. As it is, they'er making more money.

[dandypuddin]

Because they had a federally mandated health care policy and now the insurer is not paying claims or fighting them. Watching 20/20 as I type on this. 43% claims challenged. Do not dismiss so glibly.

[ProudNeoCon]

since goverment now owns and runs AIG doesn't this mean that goverment is at fault here?

[frantaylor]

Since the government is "of the people, by the people, and for the people", one could just as well make the charge that it is YOUR fault.

[lw1899]

Neocons dragged down this country to the state it's in now. Neocons must also run AIG judging from the way that company has been run. Stupid neocons!

[lj9283]

The report documented failures to pay by the Insurance Industry over the past several years, and the lack of enforcement oversight by the Labor Department during that time. (i.e. Bush, Chao)

[somsoc]

Having read many or ProudMoronCan'ts remarks over time it is clear he is an uneducated buffoon and does have a misologistic outlook of which he is openly proud.

[somsoc]

No it doesn't.

[JoeBlough]

Only those that voted.

[somsoc]

Having insurance companies, companies that have a profit motive between the patient and medical care, is insane. It does not take a genius to predict that the company will figure out that the denial of medical care will enhance its bottom line; that is callous, that is business, that is all they care about. If you think otherwise you are living in a bubble of your own making, these companies are evil incarnate.

[ProudNeoCon]

Why is that I never had issue with insurance company. All it takes to read the rules and policies BEFORE buying them, understand restrictions and follow the rules

[rowzeer]

How naive....m­y insurance company has changed its rules several times since I signed up.

[frantaylor]

I guess if you get hurt, you are breaking the rules.

[somsoc]

You are the very rare exception oh ProudMoronCan't

[Bettysdad]

I guess the 2/3rds of Americans that want single-payer are simply not as brilliant as you.

[Tropiholic]

i love the self righteous like proud and cannot wait for the day they need help from someone else! rots of ruck....

[ptarantino]

AIG needs to brought down

[Artemis34]

1) Only the US Military should be used in US military operations. Then it is clear, they go to the VA.

We don't need mercenaries! We need to cooperate with allies and with the United Nations.

2) This is another reason why we need single payer universal health care.

Then we won't need the private companies like AIG that take your premium payments (steal your premium payments) and then don't hold up their end of the bargain.

I'm in favor of a lot of private business (not in health care), but It is only a business transaction or a barter if there is an exchange and both parties live up to the terms. This is just theft.

[somsoc]

You have it correct.

[ProudNeoCon]

Why is that I never had issue with insurance company. All it takes to read the rules and policies BEFORE buying them, understand restrictions and follow the rules

[frantaylor]

Most people DON'T have to deal with their insurance. That's the nature of insurance.

As if this had anything to do with YOU.

[Bettysdad]

Posting the same drivel over and over again won't make it true.

[Antifascist-08]

Another reason we need to have a one payer health system and get the insurance companies out of the health care "business.­"

There are companies who have meetings where they discuss ways to refuse claims- including slight misspellings or small issues on claim forms or applications. Pre-existing conditions are also a big "money saver."

They give bonuses to employees who find ways to deny coverage. The BBC did a report on this. Sorry i don't have the link.

Our health care system is a disgrace and it won't be repaired by anything but a single payer system. TYher should be no profit when it comes to the health of our citizens.

[somsoc]

Michael Moore did a great job with "SICKO" see it.

[ProudNeoCon]

Try single payer system and then talk... Why is that when members of Canadian goverment need medical help they go to US?

[frantaylor]

Got a link for your loony assertion?

[lj9283]

Not according to Canadian people.

[somsoc]

For special care issues, guess what, some of our wealthy go out of the USA to the EU for certain procedures too. Are you that uneducated?

[Bettysdad]

Why is it that you have no idea what you're talking about?

[Tropiholic]

can you even find canada on a map??? you have no clue what you are talking about

[TJCole]

We have to get these corrupt murderous Insurance Companies out of Health Care, no matter what this President thinks...

[outnow]

I have dealt with workers compensation carriers for four decades. In California, we have Arnold who was going to save California from high workers compensation premiums. He extensively reformed the workers compensation system. Most applicant attorneys I know retired if they could or found other cases.

The fact that AIG would not pay the big claims does not surprise me one bit. Federal workers comp is a joke from the employees' standpoint. I do not know what law these claims come under but it is a sign of our times as far as injured workers go.

The profit margins for these claims was 40%. That is a big profit for AIG in a no-bid contract for coverage. If we had universal medical insurance coverage, especially single-payer, these people would at least get medical care and treatment. Other social safety nets would help, too.

Yet these same people are voting for the right wing whose agenda is to eliminate all social safety nets. Getting hurt on the job is often what is needed to raise one's consciousness.