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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:

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