Sen. Warren Rips Anthem for Sending 'Bigger Tax Cuts or Else' Ransom Note

"Anthem sent Congress a ransom note" demanding more taxpayer subsidies following the GOP's failed attempt to strip healthcare from millions of Americans--an attempt Anthem endorsed. (Photo: Senate Democrats/Flickr/cc)

Sen. Warren Rips Anthem for Sending 'Bigger Tax Cuts or Else' Ransom Note

Warren said the insurance giant has no right to demand massive taxpayer giveaways after making nearly $900 million in profits in the second quarter of this year

During a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing Thursday, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) slammed the insurance giant Anthem for threatening to pull out of state Obamacare exchanges if they're aren't lavished with "bigger tax cuts and more giveaways."

"If you're curious about why a majority of Americans support Medicare for All, here's exhibit A."
--Sen. Elizabeth Warren
Warren highlighted the fact that Anthem pulled in $855 million in profits during the second quarter of 2017, more than half of which came from taxpayer-funded insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid.

Despite their enormous profits, Warren said, "Anthem sent Congress a ransom note" demanding more taxpayer subsidies following the GOP's failed attempt to strip healthcare from millions of Americans--an attempt Anthem endorsed.

"If you're curious about why a majority of Americans support Medicare for All, here's exhibit A," Warren concluded.

In a Facebook post following the hearing, Warren wrote that if Anthem wants to "keep making huge profits from taxpayer money, they ought to be able to provide decent coverage through the [Affordable Care Act]."

Watch a video of Warren's exchange with Anthem executive Robert Ruiz-Moss:

Join Us: News for people demanding a better world


Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place.

We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference.

Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. Join with us today!

Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.