TV Ad Puts Tragic Face on Deadly Consequences of Insurance Companies Denying Americans Needed Care
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: September 10, 2009
New TV Ad Puts Tragic Face on the Sometimes Deadly Consequences of Big Insurance Companies Denying Americans The Care They Need
As Part of an Aggressive New Offensive on Insurance Companies Standing in the Way of Health Insurance Reform, Americans United for Change also Launch Facebook Ads Targeting Employers of Insurance Giant CIGNA
Washington D.C. – As part of an aggressive new offensive aimed at the big insurance companies standing in the way of health insurance reform, Americans United for Change launched a new television ad today featuring the tragic story of 17-year-old Nataline Sarkisyan whose insurer Cigna HealthCare refused to pay for the liver transplant she desperately needed until it was too late. Airing on cable television throughout the week in Washington D.C., the spot called “Nataline” notes that the $73 million golden parachute Cigna CEO Ed Hanway will retire with this year could have paid for 292 liver transplants. See script below.
In addition, Americans United for Change will launch an online campaign on Facebook targeting 3,000 employees of CIGNA, asking them to view “Nataline” and send a message to congress supporting health insurance reform so that what happened to Nataline doesn't happen to more Americans.
“Nataline” follows other ads from Americans United for Change urging Congress to support health insurance reform, one featuring Cigna CEO Ed Hanway and another called “Real Death Panels,” which spotlighted the potentially deadly consequences of insurance companies routinely disqualifying Americans from coverage based on “pre-existing conditions,” "rescinding" policies when policy holders get seriously ill, and raising premiums based on past medical history.”
Tom McMahon, Acting Executive Director, Americans United for Change: “The heartbreaking story of Nataline Sarkisyan is one that should never have had to been told in the United States of America. Congress must stand up to the insurance companies that look for any and every excuse to deny millions of Americans the care they need and deserve. Congress must act now and pass meaningful health insurance reform so that Nataline’s story is never again repeated.”
Americans United for Change is a progressive, 501c4 issue-advocacy organization, founded in 2005 to help defeat President Bush’s effort to privatize Social Security. Since then, Americans United has waged numerous media campaigns to move forward a progressive agenda in Congress, from expanding children’s health care to millions of kids in need, to ending the war in Iraq, to investing in the Clean Energy Jobs of the Future, to passing major health insurance reform.
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“Nataline”
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SCRIPT |
FACTS |
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ANNCR: Doctors said a liver transplant could save Nataline Sarkisyan’s life.
But her insurance company CIGNA wouldn’t pay for it.
Nataline died just before Christmas. She was 17.
CG: Nataline Sarkisyan
Cigna
DENIED
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“Nataline Sarkisyan, a 17-year-old from Glendale, Calif., died Thursday just a few hours after her insurer, Cigna HealthCare, approved a procedure it had previously described as ‘too experimental.’” She was awaiting a liver transplant. [ABC News, 12/21/07]
“Doctors at UCLA determined she needed a transplant and sent a letter to Cigna Corp.’s Cigna HealthCare on Dec. 11. The Philadelphia-based health insurance company denied payment for the transplant, saying the procedure was experimental and outside the scope of coverage.” [AP, 12/21/07]
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ANNCR: This year Cigna CEO Ed Hanway will retire with a $73 million golden parachute.
Seventy three million dollars.
CG: $73 million
Cigna CEO Ed Hanway |
“The Corporate Library. a research firm focusing on corporate governance and executive and director compensation, ranked the 10 CEOs with the largest combined pension and deferred compensation deals: H. Edward Hanway, Cigna Corp., also chairman, $73.2 million.” [Pensions & Investments, 4/2/07] |
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ANNCR: That’s 292 liver transplants.
CG: 292 liver transplants
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According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an “actual liver transplant (surgery) and 7-day stay in a hospital usually costs between $150,000 and $250,000.” [Department of Veterans Affairs] |
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ANNCR: Nataline only needed one.
If insurance companies win... we lose.
CG: Nataline only needed one.
If Insurance Companies Win, We Lose.
Paid for by Americans United for Change. |
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