A life-long Republican friend of mine, knowing my work for health care reform and having been denied health insurance, requested my help. On his behalf I wrote the following letter to the Insurance Company that denied him coverage. Incidentally, you will note, that this is not one of the ‘majors’ because THEY would not even consider him a candidate for application. As he so aptly said to me “I am the poster-child for (health care) reform. All my life I have believed that the private sector would operate fairly and in a business-like manor without government intervention. But here I am, cash in hand, and I am denied coverage!”

Please see that Mr. Mitch Stewart gets a copy of this.

October 2, 2009

Mr. Robert S. Ruiz-Moss
CEO
Imerica Insurance Company
304 Inverness Way S. Suite 405
Englewood, CO 80112

In re: Mr. Ermete Vestri and the letter from your company dated 9/24/2009

Dear Mr. Ruiz-Moss,
This letter comes in response to your company’s denial of health insurance to Mr. Ermete Vestri. It is arguably apparent that you are either unaware of the social and political climate that surrounds your industry, which would be obtuse, or are flying in the face of the very legislation that Congress and the jury of public sentiment are debating so heatedly, which would be unwise fiscally.
It must also be assumed, however remarkably, that you are unaware of Mr. Vestri’s lifelong participation in the risk pool that you and your unconscionable corporate ilk draw from, called Americans. His participation, now denied, cannot impact the risk pool effectively for the number is infinitesimal. Surely you must understand this.
However your cartel has been dividing this pie called American consumers, whether by state or vertical market, it has been to your financial advantage without regard to the health or well-being of any of those millions paying the premiums. This practice will now be put to end by the very legislation that you are flaunting. The necessity of this diligence and regulation is thereby, publicly, laid at your feet for it is the job of the insurance industry, you must be reminded in the strongest of terms, to indemnify your clients from health risks that could be eliminated or mitigated by proper care and/or financial ruin. Let me state again for emphasis, that the indemnification of your clients is the only reason for your existence.
It should not be necessary to legislate you into reality but it is obvious to the Nation (73% in the polls) that you and others of your monopoly refuse to be good corporate citizens garnering the due profits of a more trust-worthy and credible industry, for one example, such as gambling casinos. One does not object to reasonable profits, no, for that is the way that all businesses thrive and the economic stability and growth of a nation are determined. But, you sir, are a usurer, if that term can be applied to your type of financial institution, and need to be regulated into ethical boundaries that actually accomplish your business tenet.
Instead of spending the reported $1 million dollars a day fighting this legislation, a far more effective way of fending off external constraints would be to insure Mr. Vestri and others like him and make that decision public. It does not make good business sense to continue with the same practices that got you into this contention while in the midst of it. Surely you can see that this only makes your position worse and you increasingly look the avaricious, amoral, corporate monger.
You, sir, are also the reason for the public option being essential, in addition to the health of its citizens, to the economic health of this country. Please realize that the continued avarice of your industry will weaken the nation’s economy and, as a direct effect of that, your own industry. Have not your corporate bean counters advised you of this? One finds it hard to believe that this utile knowledge has, thus far, escaped you. One comparably small adjustment now, at this time of dramatic change, can do much to recover your submerged reputation.
Please respond to and do not ignore this letter for it is not mere circumlocution, but a forthright demand for a reversal of the decision to deny insurance to Mr. Vestri. It shall be used as an example of your changed business practice and wisdom or to vilify you. The choice and the consequences are yours.
Awaiting your response and not that of a corporate underling,

Barbara L Kuyper-Cross
1005 S Shepherd Drive #610
Houston, Texas 77019

Cc: Mitch Stewart, Director, Organizing for America
Cc: Barack Obama, President of the United States of America
Cc: Keith Olberman, MSNBC
Cc: Rachel Maddow, MSNBC