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Managed care plans are viewing the newly released film "John Q" less as an indictment of them than as a catalyst for re-igniting the debate about the need for health care reform.
The American Assn. of Health Plans, the Washington-based trade organization for managed care plans, last week ran print ads in Roll Call, Congress Report, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, asserting:
"John Q. It's not just a movie. It's a crisis for 40 million people who can't afford health care... Instead of offering solutions, some in Washington are making the problem worse-pointing fingers and even proposing new laws that will make it harder for employers like John Q's to provide quality, affordable health care.
Sometimes it seems like health plans are the only ones trying to make health care more affordable.
The fictional character John Q has the wrong answer for America's health care cost crisis. Isn't it time government, hospitals and health plans worked together to find the right one?"
In the film, a frustrated father played by Denzel Washington takes over...