Health Insurance company, Guardian Life, releases high cost patients

Ian Pearl, a 37 year old male from New York, suffers from muscular dystrophy. Although it is not mentioned by the Washington Times artcle what kind of muscular dystrophy Mr. Pearl suffers from, it is noted that he requires around the clock care as the muscles that help him breathe have failed him. In other words, he is unable to breathe without assistance. Ian currently lives in Florida to help with his breathing, however, his insurance policy is still through the New York company Guardian Life Insurance Co..

In the article it is revealed that emails were presented in a court hearing, regarding possible violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), from company Vice President Tim Birely in which he makes reference to getting rid of dogs on those plans which are costing the company too much to justify keeping around. Mr. Birely in these emails was specific to New York as policyholders who were referred to as "domicile and some historical [nonsense]" in thier needs.

Guardian spokesman Richard Jones said "We certainly don't think this particular case has anything to do with health care reform." However, it would seem this is what President Obama's plan seeks to eliminate; for profit insurance carriers.

My personal belief is that this is a business out to make a profit, as they state in the article, and even though they say they sympathize with Mr. Pearl's conditon, they truly have not investement in human life or the preservation of such. If you do not help them make a profit they will seek to eliminate you from their policy. In the article Ian's father revealed that they have been hounded by Private Investigators from Guardian for years, YEARS, in an attempt to find misinformation from the family to be able to drop them from their policy. They have applied to the Department of Health  and Human Services for HIPPA violations by Guardian but have not heard anything back as of yet.

So if you still think for profit health insurance is the best thing for this country you are likely either a shareholder in the company making millions or a company executive of an insurance company as I just can't see how anyone can think making a buck is more concerning and better for public relations than saving a human life. If Guardian executives were smart they would grandfather Ian Pearl in and spin it that they value human life, but obviously they are not smart...like most of these big insurance companies who feel they are untouchable.

Jim