Can sarcastic humor make a convincing case for health care reform? Will Ferrell, the comedian, and MoveOn.org, the liberal political advocacy organization, are giving it a try. They’ve created a video that defends beleaguered insurance company executives.
The video is available on YouTube and features well known celebrities. The cast, the humor, and Internet-only availability suggest this pitch is meant to appeal to healthy young adults who may feel they don’t need the expense of health insurance. Mandatory insurance coverage — even for the young and healthy — is one option that may end up in the final version of health care legislation.
The cast, in addition to Will Ferrell (Saturday Night Live), includes Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Olivia Wilde (House MD), Masi Oka (Heroes), Donald Faison (Scrubs), Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant (Reno 911), Jordana Spiro (My Boys), and Linda Cardelini (ER/Freaks & Geeks).
The lines are much funnier when delivered by these engaging actors, but if you don’t have two plus minutes to watch, here’s the text.
Something terrible is happening.
Health insurance executives are getting a bad rap.
As the health care debate heats up, we need to remember who the real victims are: health insurance executives. People are saying a lot of mean things about health insurance companies and their executives. And it’s got to stop.
These great businessmen are American heroes. So why is Obama trying to reform health care when insurance companies are doing just fine, making billions of dollars in profit?
“Obama, why?”
Insurance companies need our support, because they keep our selfish priorities in check when we can’t.
[In a whiny voice:] “Please, doctor. My daughter’s dying. She needs medication.”
Think about somebody else for once.
“If my kid falls off his bike and breaks his leg, he should have to pay that money out of pocket. Out of his allowance.”
How else is he going to learn not to fall off that bike.
And insurance companies are detail-oriented enough to deny claims for things like typos. If you spell something wrong, do you really deserve surgery? I don’t think so.
Eighty percent of the American public support the public plan, because it would give quality care people can actually afford.
But when you think about it, who’s really supporting it? Other than 80% of the American people.
And the public option would make insurance companies lower their prices and give better service in order to “compete.”
What’s so American about competition?
Health insurance companies are huge. They need to make big profits so they can afford to give their employees health insurance. Believe me, that stuff’s not cheap.
It makes sense.
Insurance company CEO’s have a right to their American dream: five houses, a private plane, $500 million in your pocket. And a mini-zoo in your backyard for exotic animals, like a white tiger and pygmy horses.
Insurance companies offer you variety. They can change the price in terms of your plan at any time or stop covering you altogether.
Do you want to get rid of those options?
So join us in the fight to protect our insurance company profits. They’ve looked out for our best interests for so long. Now we should look out for theirs.
“And I’m not being sarcastic. Not at all.”
On screen: Call Congress. Tell them we need a strong public health insurance option now. 202-224-3121.
Related posts:
Where does the health care money go?
Health insurance insider speaks out
Why health insurance isn’t there when you need it most
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