Bev Perdue is kicking her term off right with a splashy inaugural ball given by the Junior League of Raleigh. How does a charity pay for a grand affair like that? They get money from corporate sponsors who can then write off their donations. Isn’t it rich? Everyone’s favorite health insurance company, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is the signature sponsor.
Jane Pinsky, director of the N.C. Coalition for Lobbying & Government Reform, said Blue Cross and other companies would not be likely to spend on the events if they didn’t see an opportunity to curry favor.
‘It’s a way of making sure that you get noticed,’ Pinsky said. ‘I’m sure that Blue Cross and Progress Energy write that down as a cost of doing business, and you and I pay for it.'”
Is she related to Robert Pinsky, because that’s just beautiful. Seriously, it’s poetry. Finally an elegant explanation for why my health insurance premiums went up 10% this year even as payments to providers declined. I’m so relieved that I know that now. Will Bev do something about it? I know she’s got her gown and all, but has she really thought about it? Not to worry, it’s politics as usual in Raleigh:
Perdue spokesman Tim Crowley said his boss won’t be influenced. ‘This is a charity event by the Junior League of Raleigh,’ Crowley said. ‘They raise the money.'”
That’s probably the right way to look at it. I mean, BCBS already writes health insurance legislation, so how much more influence can they really earn? What a relief to flip it around and view it for the benign situation it obviously is. I’m just going to up my Xanax and think about the pretty, pretty party.
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