With Satirical Video, "The Bright Side of Death," Consumers Open Up Front in Battle with Blue Cross Over Healthcare Reform
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Sev Williams |
Protests & lobby visits coincide with launch of online video taking aim at Blue Cross’ efforts to undermine healthcare reform in California with a massive scare-letter and advertising campaign
(SACRAMENTO) – On the heels of an escalation of activity on the part of Blue Cross to mobilize against healthcare reform, consumer groups, seniors, and labor groups making up the 10 million-member strong It’s OUR Healthcare! (IOH) coalition launched an online video today to jab back at the health insurance giant.
The groups plan to circulate the video to hundreds of thousands of their members to get across the message that opponents to reform benefit from a system that hurts Californians. IOH members say legislators and other decision-makers need to hear that Californians are calling on them for meaningful healthcare reform this year, and calling on elected officials not to side with Blue Cross and other defenders of a broken and destructive status quo.
“I'm disabled and have a medical condition that is treated with a variety of medications. Blue Cross keeps changing what they are willing to pay for,” said Jan Stephens, a Blue Cross victim. “Right now, I'm paying about $400 a month for drugs and about $600 a month in Blue Cross premiums. I owe thousands of dollars to the pharmacy for medicines my Blue Cross wouldn't pay for. My credit has been ruined. It's hard enough being disabled, but my pathetic insurance coverage is destroying my life.”
The video, “The Bright Side of Death,” offers a light-hearted but pointed, “Life of Brian”-like lyrical summary of Blue Cross’ corporate practices and political strategies. The lyrics, sung by a cheerful Blue Cross man, with Californians tied to Blue Crosses nodding, whistling, and singing along, state, in part:
Always look on the right side of death.
Yes, the system may seem rotten
But there’s something you’ve forgotten
When you start to think of calling for reform.
We’ve got more cash than you –
Already spent a mil or two,
Making sure “you’re getting screwed” will stay the norm.
Still… always look on the bright side of death
With Blue Cross until your terminal breath
Measles, diarrhea,
Leprosy, gonorrhea,
Everyone has got to go some day.
How you croak’s not our concern –
It’s the dividends we earn,
Every time you make a claim but we don’t pay.
The complete video can be viewed at www.sickofbluecross.com/brightside.
The video was launched today on the heels of a protest outside the lobby offices of Blue Cross California. Protesters then took their message inside the Capitol to tell stories of how the current healthcare system isn’t working for Californians, and to urge legislators to stand with the millions of people who would benefit from reform, and not the handful of powerful interests like Blue Cross that benefit from the status quo.
It’s OUR Healthcare! is a coalition of seniors, healthcare consumers and labor. Members include Consumers Union, Health Access, Service Employees International Union, AARP, California Teachers Association, the California Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, and more than 90 other groups. More information is available at www.ItsOurHealthcare.org.
###
September 6, 2007 at 10:09 AM | Permalink | Blog Reactions
Save to del.icio.us | Share on Facebook
