Evidently this is a repeat. It still puts to rest the WF lie that Mackey does not speak for the company, but this did originally air in April. Video here: http://abcnews.go.com/...
So tonight, renowned serial distorter John Stossel did an "expose" which blamed insurance on rising medical costs.
His thesis -- if you provide people with insurance, they have no incentive to shop around for the best medical prices. One of his experts on the subject was none other than Whole Foods CEO (but by no means a company representative) John Mackey, who came on to discuss how some company, that he may or may not be representing, has figured it out on health care.
This diary has two purposes (below the fold) --
- To debunk the distortions
- To remind us to keep the pressure up on Whole Foods to replace this representative who stands against everything the customers they court stand for
- To provide avenues to apply pressure
Distortions (there may be more, this is an open list, so please add in the comments below):
- The piece cites Lasik as an example of a procedure that has gone down in price because it is not covered by insurance. No energy is spent pointing out that it Lasik is an entirely elective procedure, or discussing the correlation between quality and price. (If it's cheaper to get Lasik in a mall, is it just as good?)
- To that point, there is no attention paid, on any level, to the relationship between cost and quality of care.
- There is apparently no distinction between scientifically validated treatments (such as chemotherapy) and treatments like acupuncture.
- I'm not sure if this is a distortion, but can someone who works at Whole Foods please weigh in as to whether procedures such as acupuncture and Lasik can even be applied towards their high deductible?
- What about pre-existing conditions? Whole Foods has clearly sold out the insurance companies, but what about the insurance they offer their customers?
- Don't insurance companies also have the power to negotiate prices? I mean, wasn't that the argument against a truly progressive senior drug benefits in the first place? Shouldn't insurance companies, and a government plan, be able to negotiate prices in the first place? I have very little pull as an individual, but if I represented millions, I think insurance companies, drug companies, and medical services industries might respond positively.
Why we are doing this:
- Because it's working. We've picked up some major support for our efforts. This is a winnable battle for change.
- Because it's right. John Mackey is deliberately distorting the debate, ignoring key components and distorting even what his own company offers its employees.
- Because Whole Foods as a company, runs counter to what Whole Foods the place where progressives often shop. Whether it's attacking the right to organize, comparing unions to herpes, promoting the right-wing CATO institute or just embracing the juvenile fantasy of Ayn Rand, Whole Foods is currently represented by someone who does not represent the vast majority of Whole Foods customers.
My letter to Whole Foods:
Dear Global Headquarters --
I am still refusing to shop at your company. It's a shame, because I have a hard time (but not an impossible one) finding food as fresh as yours. But you have only responded to the statements of your inflammatory (and dishonest) CEO by pouring gasoline on this fire.
First, I received a very offensive, PR (and I know, I used to work in PR) driven statement distancing yourself from your CEO, by asserting, ridiculously, that he did he did not speak for the company. If I spoke publicly, identified as a representative of my organization -- and I am not the CEO -- there would be no need for me to report to work on Monday. Yet you have insinuated Mackey was not speaking for Whole Foods?
Then, as if to say, we heard your complaints, and didn't care -- Mr. Mackey appeared on 20/20 with John Stossel with the sole purpose of further muddying the waters of the health care debate. This time, we heard all about the Whole Foods story and how amazing and innovative and helpful the health care program at Whole Foods is. I guess maybe Mr. Mackey does represent you now? No mention in. this story how Mackey distorts the nature of elective procedures such as Lasik. No differentiation between the scientific validation of certain procedures and the psychosomatic relief provided by others (is acupuncture, or Lasik, even covered as part of your deductible anyway?) No mention of how long an employee must work at Whole Foods to even be eligible for this anemic health care coverage? No mention on how pre-existing conditions are handled?
Your previous e-mail to me, and Mr. Mackey's subsequent appearance on 20/20 have only served to reinforce my utter revulsion at the way in which Whole Foods takes its core customers entirely for granted. I refuse to support an organization, with my ample grocery expenses, that is run in a way that runs so contrary to everything I believe.
It has become increasingly evident that there are some very specific changes that Whole Foods must adopt to earn my business back.
- Replace John Mackey as CEO. I will not spend one more dollar (and I know Mr. Mackey's salary is not his compensation) to facilitate such an active advocate against my (and most Whole Foods' customers) values.
- Allow your employees to form a union. There are plenty of union grocers in NYC (eg: RWDSU). I will shop at those alone.
- Said union must have input into the health insurance policy of the company.
- Immediately publicize your health insurance policy, INCLUDING deductibles, prerequisites for coverage, and limitations on coverage.
I am but one person, but I can point to at least five families who's Whole Foods dollars are on hold until Whole Foods make some proactive changes. My guess, is this amounts to about $10,000 per year in revenues, not even knowing who those individuals influence. I'm sorry it has come to this. I will really miss your avocados.
Sadly,
-A (temporarily?) former customer