Dylan Ratigan Rips Health Insurance Lobbyist: "All You Did Was Play Cable Dodgeball" (VIDEO)

On MSNBC's "Morning Meeting" Tuesday, host Dylan Ratigan called out health insurance lobbyist James Klein of the American Benefits Council for repeatedly refusing to answer a question about whether he was in favor of maintaining the current monopoly that health insurance companies enjoy.

"Are you in favor of perpetuating the monopoly for health insurance, the anti-trust exemption?" Ratigan asked Klein. Klein avoided answering, insisting it was a "charged question," which led Ratigan to challenge his evasions.

"It's an honest question. Don't dodge my question. With all due respect, answer my question, please," Ratigan said. He then went on to explain why the question is so important:

"It is beyond my comprehension why our politicians or any lobbyist, yourself included, would be in favor of perpetuating an antitrust exemption for health insurance in this country, which would deny all taxpayers the opportunity to make a choice and bring free, full competition in the true American spirit forward."

After a few more rounds of going in circles with his guest, Ratigan told Klein that "all you did was play cable dodgeball. " He also called Klein's responses "nonsense."

"I think you're working for an outdated system that's in desperate need of an updating though," Ratigan added. "I'm done with you."

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Comments

[IcemanXTS]

I love this guy. He doesn't take any BS from the people on his show and demands a direct answer!

[jbinders]

This guy is my new hero! I like his straight forward approach. If he's the progressives answer to O'Reilly, GOOD!

[John Graham]

Ratigan has it wrong: McCarran-Ferguson allows insurers (all insurers: life, health, auto, property, etc.) to pool claims data for the purpose of actuarial analysis. It's purpose is to overcome the problem of information asymmetry that is well known and studies in the economics of insurance. It doesn't grant "monopoly.­"

It looks from the table he showed that the states wherein insurers are most highly concentrated are those in which the government is the most interventionist.

This was a lay-up for the health-insurance lobbyist: One that he missed - as usual.

[IcemanXTS]

While that may be true, the insurance industry as a whole is still a monopoly.

If Progressive, All State, Geico, Esurance, and all other auto insurance companies pooled together for "claims data" to be centralized, that's one thing. But when there are only two players in one state, that's a monopoly.

[John Graham]

Actually, if there are two players, it's a duopoly!

[Jezreel]

Ratigan is an astute, no nonsense, take no prisoners kind of guy. I admire his fortitude and what appears to be his Progressive political ideology. Sometimes though, I admit, he can be a wee bit overbearing but he does keep his guests and other journalists appearing on his show on their toes.

[TrueSense]

Sorry, the Maccarran-Ferguson Act is the act that provides anti-trust exemption to certain insurance sectors.

[TrueSense]

I am not an expert, bu there seems to be some evidence to suggest that malpractice and health insuance companies are even in violation of the Maccaran - Ferguson Act, or at least in such a state that provisisions of the act that allow certain controlls could be invokeed.

If there are any experts on this, I wonder if there is any truth to this analysis ?

[Kevins]

Today, Baucus and Snowe voted against a public option--so they have the same position as the industry lobbyist on the show.

Help pay for the ads
to make Baucus and Snowe accountable for their actions.

http://www.actblue.com/page/baucuspublicoption?refcode=hccw_baucus-dfakick

When they deny health care options, they kill people. Make them face their responsibility.

Since they have actually voted on behalf of the insurance industry against Americans--
let their home state voters know who's side their really on
and let their congressional cronies see them have to pay for their lobbyist dollars.

[rosal]

This is what we need, true journalists, not just robots repeating the talking points of the profiteers. Well done and please continue the good work.

[austin4]

Thank You...I agree 100%

[Jezreel]

My sentiments exactly.

[breakingpoint]

Insurance Lobbyist James Klein

His chosen occupation has hasten the suffering and needless deaths of 1000's of Americans.

Rather than working for the well being of his fellow citizens and his country he has instead chosen to aid in crimes against humanity for his own selfish profit.

[Kevins]

He can't be voted out of his job.

But pro-monopoly congresspe­rsons--lik­e Baucus and Snowe, who just voted against the public option that would compete with the industry monopoly--THEY can be voted out in their home states.

If their votes are allowed to stand with no fuss, others will see their is no fallout from voting against Americans' health. They have to be made to suffer in the next election cycle, and in public opinion in their home states immediately.
http://www.actblue.com/page/baucuspublicoption?refcode=hccw_baucus-dfakick

[breakingpoint]

James Klein has chosen this occupation.

[BobQueuePublic]

Dylan Ratigan impresses me for his views. But he'd be a better guest than host. Unwatchable. He's exactly what I hate in Fox News and AM right-wing talk radio. At least give the guy 30 seconds to have a say, THEN tear him apart with calm, intelligent dialog.

Rachel Maddow should be running MSNBC. She'd put things right.

[bushlies]

Saw this today. It sure brightened my morning. Keep up the good work, Dylan.

[MaggieMamacat]

Excellent work, Ratigan. A good journalist should sink his/her teeth into a question and refuse to let go until the interviewee gives a straight answer...w­hich this slimy lobbyist never did. We need more journalists like Ratigan.

[hourglass]

i second ISO9001 's new pastime:

Five Democrats opposed the public option: Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.).

Five Democrats opposed the public option: Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.).

Five Democrats opposed the public option: Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.).

Five Democrats opposed the public option: Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.).

Five Democrats opposed the public option: Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.).

[bushlies]

Here if Florida we need a primary challenger to Nelson. How about Bob Wexler or Dave Aronberg? Let's put a REAL Democrat in this seat!

[dfortruth]

It's about time someone took charge over their show, now that was hard ball.

Just when I was about to cancel my cable. Alright Dylan, now if you could just do the same thing with our representative in congress.

[jimrs]

We desperately need more honest & courageous people like Dylan Ratigan.
The majority are gutless sycophants.