United for Health Reform

United for Health Reform is the lobbying arm of the largest, private, for-profit health insurer in the U.S., UnitedHealth Group It's purpose is to enlist company employees to fight health care reform proposals that the company believes will hurt its profits. The group's Web site is only open to employees of UnitedHealth Group, and you need a UnitedHealth email address to register.

Potential lobbying law violations
A November 13, 2009 Washington Post article reported that United for Health Reform sent emails to 75,000 UnitedHealth Group employees urging them to write their senators and local newspapers to oppose a public health insurance option in any health reform bill. The email alleged that "government-run health care" will force "millions of Americans" to drop their current coverage. The company included form letters that employees could use to describe their opposition to cuts in the expensive Medicare Advantage program (through which the federal government contracts with private insurers to offer Medicare-eligible citizens policies that cover doctor visits, hospitalization and sometimes prescription medications) and advocate for higher financial penalties for individuals who do not purchase health insurance. The subject line of the email read: "Write Your Senators!"

A California-based, consumer advocacy group Consumer Watchdog, which obtained a copy of the email, and said it contained erroneous talking points advanced by the Republican Party, for example that millions will lose their coverage under the new reform bill. Consumer Watchdog filed complaints earlier in 2009 against UnitedHealth and WellPoint, another major health insurance company, for allegedly pressuring employees to lobby against health reform in violation of California law.

Related SourceWatch resources

 * UnitedHealth Group