“No problem Joe, I’ll make a call for you”
The obituary is fake. George Parr, The Insurer of Last Resort, is alive and well……….
Insurance Fraud & Political Empowerment
By Bill Rusteberg
Texas public sector groups provide health insurance for employees and their families with taxpayers underwriting a portion of the cost and plan members funding the difference.
Health insurance is expensive. Family coverage costs $1,000 or more per month. Many forgo coverage, hoping they won’t need it, a problem that is endemic in communities throughout Texas impacting working families everywhere. The uninsured rate is among the highest in Texas.
But that’s not a problem because every community in Texas has an insurer of last resort.
Community members are at peace knowing they have a safe harbor waiting for them in times of dire medical need. They have come to understand elected officials hold the key to immediate health care coverage for loyal constituents. Friends and neighbors can attest to expedient on-demand coverage when health insurance is needed the most as they know their local school district, city or county is their insurer of last resort. Life does not have to be complicated nor is it.
Under the ACA, all pre-existing conditions are covered immediately. No waiting periods. Elected officials and their administrative minions have come to realize this provides tremendous opportunities to solidify their base and increase their markers for future favors around election time. For some, it even provides a means of enhancing political contributions year-round. Leveraging political power outweighs ethics. The Duke of Duval, George Parr, was an early Texas adopter of similar strategies as Landslide Lyndon can attest.
Take the case of Joe Smith. Joe is a self-employed mechanic in town. He has no health insurance. He needs a liver transplant he can’t afford. He can’t even get on the transplant waiting list without proving financial ability to pay. The ACA public exchange open enrollment period just expired. He’s up a river without a paddle. So, Joe goes to John, local school board member and cries for help. “No problem Joe, I’ll make a call for you” says John.
John calls the district’s superintendent and says “Joe Smith, a mechanic here in town, is looking for work. He’s an excellent mechanic. Can you see if we can get him a position at the bus barn. He can start tomorrow! I really appreciate your support. I will return the favor one day.”
The superintendent, knowing John represents a majority on the board, knows which side his bread is buttered on. “Tell Joe to visit HR this afternoon. I’ll tell them to expect him!” says the superintendent.
By the end of the week, Joe is working full-time at the bus barn. Health insurance coverage begins his first day of employment and pre-existing conditions are covered immediately. How great is that!
After receiving $500,000 in health benefits, Joe’s in remission. He quits his job at the district and goes back to his little shade tree mechanic business on the west side of town. John visits him during primary season to see how he’s doing, asking about his family, his health, and wishing him well.
The marker is set.